Long-distant truck drivers face a variety of possible perils while on the road, from bad weather to driving on poorly-maintained highways, but what other possible dangers might they face?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that most truckers work 60 hours per week and may suffer from fatigue that can increase the risk of an accident; however, other factors put them at risk as well.
1. Poor training
Some truck drivers may not receive the training required to drive long hours or on busy roadways. A lack of training usually occurs at the beginning of a truck driver’s career, and some may carry bad driving habits for years, such as a lack of signaling, speeding and tailgating other vehicles. Truckers can take supplementary training classes to rid themselves of bad driving habits and improve the way they drive.
2. Replacing sleep with work
Some delivery companies demand a rigorous delivery schedule from their drivers, which may push some semi operators to cut their sleeping hours in favor of driving in order to meet their delivery requirements. This can result in reduced reaction time and increase the odds of drivers nodding off behind the wheel, especially when driving at night or through desolate areas.
3. Poor vehicle maintenance
Some individuals who drive semis for a living may encounter companies who do not perform proper upkeep on their trucks. Some may not replace tires as often as they should, and others may not inspect the brakes or other crucial components regularly.
Semi drivers can keep themselves safe by reviewing the safety records of companies they haul for and taking part in safety refresher courses at least once a year.