{"id":337,"date":"2016-11-30T09:32:02","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T17:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/67.192.94.222\/blog\/?p=337"},"modified":"2016-11-30T09:32:02","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T17:32:02","slug":"safety-techniques-truck-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/safety-techniques-truck-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Techniques for Truck Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Truck driving is a common profession in the United States. Unfortunately, it can also be rather dangerous. Accidents happen, and even when they\u2019re no fault of the truck driver, they can be hard to avoid with such massive machines.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The fact that trucking has been a large part of our nation for so long, however, has some advantages. There are several proven safety techniques to help protect the driver and everyone else on the road. Many of these procedures are at least partially regulated by the law too.<\/p>\n<h2>Safety Tips for Driving<\/h2>\n<h2><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-458\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_113016.jpg?resize=660%2C445&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"445\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Big trucks are constantly trekking across the highway. It\u2019s only natural that some of the most important tips are directed at interstate driving. Pilots should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Never tailgate. If there\u2019s not enough space between a tractor trailer and the vehicle in front of it, things can turn deadly in a sudden stopping situation. Most truck-related accidents involve the big rig rear-ending something else, so it\u2019s key to have proper distance. After all, the heavier the load, the longer the stopping time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Signal early. It\u2019s important that truck drivers give others ample warning whenever they\u2019re about to make a change. This rings true on the interstate, but it\u2019s something that\u2019s important any time the truck is in motion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Be mindful of blind spots. There are several of them for a tractor trailer, so good drivers will monitor them frequently. It\u2019s recommended that they check the side mirrors at least every 10 seconds and minimize lane changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Leave plenty of space to brake for exits. Since it takes so much longer to slow down a vehicle of this size, drivers should be extra diligent when exiting (or entering) the interstate. It\u2019s important that they start slowing down earlier so it can be more gradual.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-459\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_113016.jpg?resize=660%2C440&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Driver Preparedness<\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>Although there are many things to do to increase safety on the road, there are even more safety techniques that take place before the truck moves. Drivers should always check that all of their signals and other lights are functioning correctly. They should also keep tire chains, reflective triangles, and any other special needs equipment handy at all times.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The truck\u2019s fluids should be monitored as well, and many companies require that their drivers to check them before each shift. This is especially true in extreme hot or cold conditions, since less-than-optimum levels of antifreeze can adversely affect the engine.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the most important thing to prepare, however, is the driver\u2019s mind. They should always be cautious and courteous to other drivers. Safety should always take priority over speed (particularly when the conditions are poor), and planning ahead is vital. For example, a driver should always add extra space between him or herself and the next vehicle when the roads are wet or snowy or visibility is low.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Tractor trailers are involved in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.iihs.org\/iihs\/topics\/t\/large-trucks\/fatalityfacts\/large-trucks\" target=\"_blank\">thousands of accidents<\/a> per year, and 90% of those are at least partially due to driver error. Proper training and the implementation of safety techniques like these can go a long way toward keeping more people safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Truck driving is a common profession in the United States. Unfortunately, it can also be rather dangerous. Accidents happen, and even when they\u2019re no fault of the truck driver, they can be hard to avoid with such massive machines. &nbsp; The fact that trucking has been a large part of our nation for so long, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/safety-techniques-truck-drivers\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Safety Techniques for Truck Drivers<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7fVNJ-5r","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":326,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/truck-driving-mental-health\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":0},"title":"Truck Driving and Mental Health","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"November 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Although it\u2019s the second most common profession in the country, truck driving has also been rated as one of the riskiest. In addition to the thousands of accidents involving trucks each year, drivers are subject to a high level of occupational stress. Deconstructing the Stressors of America\u2019s Truckers The United\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_111616.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_111616.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_111616.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_111616.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":297,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/truck-driver-training-in-the-united-states\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":1},"title":"Truck Driver Training in the United States","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"October 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Truck driving is the second biggest career in the United States. There are more than 3.5 million professionals behind the wheel of these large vehicles. Add that with the 5.2 million other related careers (such as freight loading), and you\u2019ve got the biggest industry in America. Unfulfilled Potential of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_101116.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_101116.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_101116.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shipmynt_blogpostimage3_101116.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":238,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/parking-road-tips-tricks-stay-safe\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":2},"title":"Parking on the Road: Tips and Tricks to Stay Safe","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"August 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Sometimes, when you need to stop, you need to stop and it doesn\u2019t matter where. But other times you really don\u2019t want to see another run down gas station, Walmart parking lot or dingy rest area. There is nothing at all wrong with wanting to park your truck somewhere well-lit,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_081616.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_081616.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_081616.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_081616.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":273,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/exploring-the-redesigned-cascadia\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":3},"title":"Exploring the Redesigned Cascadia","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"September 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"On September 1, Daimler released the designs for the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia. Production on the truck will start in early 2017. Until then, motor carriers and drivers can explore the specifications for this new, aerodynamic semi-truck. Here are some of the top features that industry professionals can\u2019t wait to see\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_092116.jpg?fit=902%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_092116.jpg?fit=902%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_092116.jpg?fit=902%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_092116.jpg?fit=902%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":251,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/e-logs-what-you-need-to-know\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":4},"title":"E-logs: What You Need to Know","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"September 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"After a legal battle that trudged through several years of debate and technical challenges, the federal court finally released its regulation regarding mandated electronic truck and bus driver logging in December 2015. By the end of 2017, all truck drivers will have to comply with this federal mandate. Paper logs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_090916.jpg?fit=900%2C622&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_090916.jpg?fit=900%2C622&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_090916.jpg?fit=900%2C622&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_090916.jpg?fit=900%2C622&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":258,"url":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/thank-you-to-truck-drivers-in-honor-of-national-truck-driver-appreciation-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":337,"position":5},"title":"Thank You to Truck Drivers in Honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week","author":"SHIPMYNT Customer Service","date":"September 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Sunday, September 11 kicked off National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. At SHIPMYNT, we understand the important role that truck drivers play in the supply chain. The global economy would come to a standstill without the hard work of drayage and over-the-road truckers. As transportation associations across the US celebrate truck\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_091316.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_091316.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_091316.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/shipmynt_blogpostimage2_091316.jpg?fit=900%2C601&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=337"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":338,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337\/revisions\/338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shipmynt.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}