Kissimmee, Fla. 2023—In Florida, statistics from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FHSMV) show that truck traffic increases quickly, which can in turn represent a risk for truck drivers and other drivers in the roadways. Fatigue, speeding and dangerous road behavior, distractions, driving under the influence, poor roads, and equipment malfunctions are common causes of road truck collisions.There are a few measures that your trucking company can implement to help prevent accidents and keep tabs of your insurance premiums.
Why trucking companies must enforce a drug screening prior to hiring drivers
Truck drivers under the influence have problems with their clarity, and reaction times are greatly reduced. There are still many DUI cases reported every day. According to research, at least 13% use alcohol, there are others influenced by other substances.
Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue
We don’t have to be a doctor in medicine to know the effect of fatigue on long haul drivers. There is a reason why many laws regulating the amount of working hours have been enacted.
Dangerous Road Behavior
Because of their size and weight, large commercial trucks are considerable more dangerous when compared to regular cars on the roads.Truckers over speeding put others at risk of a serious accident. Also, behaviors like aggressive driving and improper merging, driving too close to other cars, and unsafe lane changing are of significant risk given the inability of the driver to make an immediate stop in an emergency.
Truck’s rolling over chances are increased when over speeding is involved.
Why Pre-trip Safety Inspection are so Important
Truck malfunctioning includes failing brake systems, transmission failures, loose loads, failing steering, and tire tread defects.
Avoiding Distractions
Six words: Keep your eyes on the road! Your truckers may be tempted to text, make calls, or even check on their social media and surf the web. Eating, drinking, interacting with a navigational device, reading maps, or any other activity that takes the focus off the road can also be distracting. As we know, doing so will reduce their focus on the road, and eventually can lead to accidents.
The following tips provided by FMCSA can help truck drivers make a plan for road safety:
1. Check Your Blind Spots
Check mirrors every 8-10 seconds to be aware of vehicles entering your blind spots. Additionally, scan ahead on the road about 15 seconds (equating to a quarter mile on interstates, or one to two blocks in cities) for traffic issues, work zones, and other dangers.
2. Be Aware of Long Stopping Distances
Large trucks need the length of up to two football fields to safely stop. Driving too fast for weather or road conditions or failing to slow down for curves or ramps create risks for rollovers, as well as crashes. Be aware of long stopping distances and make careful wide turns.
3. Make Wide Turns Carefully
Trucks need extra space and time to make wide, careful turns. Make turns carefully and signal appropriately.
4. Always Buckle Up
Seat belts can save lives, reduce injuries, and allow drivers to stay inside and control their vehicles in the event of a crash.
5. Drive at a Safe Speed
The large size and weight of trucks increase driving challenges, including acceleration, braking, and maneuverability. Large vehicles accelerate slower uphill and may gain speed quickly downhill. Drive at a safe speed, be aware of your surroundings, and never drive above the speed limit.
6. Stay Focused and Avoid Distracted Driving
Get enough rest. Do not drive when you’re fatigued, feeling ill, or using medications (including over-the-counter medicine) that make you drowsy or dizzy.
Texting is among the worst driving distractions. It is illegal for a CMV driver to text while driving, and mobile phones must be hands-free and dialed using no more than one button. If you must attend to an activity other than driving, exit the highway or pull over – it’s not worth the risk.
7. Always Use Your Signal
Signal and brake early to give other drivers plenty of time to notice your intent. If you must pull off the road, use flashers, reflective triangles, and/or road flares to alert approaching drivers.
8. Maintain Your Vehicle
Make sure pre-trip safety inspections are complete before hitting the road, particularly for tires and brakes. Check that your load is well-balanced and secure, as a shifting load can cause a rollover or loss of control. Loose materials can create road hazards.
9. Plan Your Trip in Advance
Stay up-to-date on weather and road conditions, detours, and mountainous routes to plan appropriate driving time. Be aware that non-commercial navigation systems and apps may not provide warnings of height and weight limitations and other CMV restrictions.
10. Practice Work Zone Safety
Work zones present many hazards, like lane shifts, sudden stops, uneven road surfaces, moving workers and equipment, and more.
Work zone safety:
- Slow down, maintain extra following space, and be prepared to stop.
- Obey all work zone signs and signals.
- Scan ahead for changing traffic patterns, and be alert to vehicles entering your blind spots.
- Keep a sharp eye out for road workers and flag crews.
As a local independent insurance agency, Kissimmee Truck Insurance works with top insurance companies in the market, so we can provide you with the right tools to make the best decision at the time of purchasing insurance coverage that truly matches your business’s needs. From Commercial Auto Insurance and/or Contractor Insurance, to Truck Insurance. Our Orlando location has served the insurance needs of the Central Florida community for over 12 years, by offering a full spectrum of truck insurance products and services for owners operators, and small to large fleets.
Talk to our fully bilingual, and experienced agents from Kissimmee Truck Insurance and let them know what your needs and priorities are. Give us a call today at (407) 203-7085— for an initial consultation and quotes from multiple insurance carrier choices who support us in Florida!