Trucker Safety During the Holiday Season

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is the time for family and friends to come together to share unforgettable memories. During the holiday season, long-haul trucking can be rewarding as many items and presents need to arrive at shoppers, stores, and restaurants. Even though trucking is rewarding during this season, it can be dangerous as more families are hitting the highways. As a truck driver, if you are going to be out on the roads this holiday season, here are some safe driving tips to keep in mind.

Maintenance

Keeping your rig up-to-date on maintenance is what makes the most difference in making your trip not only enjoyable but safe. Do a once-over inspection before you hit the road to ensure that your truck is operating correctly. If you stumble upon a problem, be sure to address the issue to avoid any downtime or being stranded on the road.

Pre-Plan Your Routes

Pre-planning your routes before you hit the road is important, especially during crazy holiday traffic. Try avoiding any routes that go near highly congested shopping areas, such as malls. Also, if you map out multiple different routes, this can be helpful. If one route fails, you will have a backup. One other important thing in pre-planning your trip is to be sure to keep up-to-date on the traffic and weather alerts before and during your travels. This can help you prepare for any hazardous areas you may come across, and you can adjust your route if needed.

Prevent Distractions

When driving, no matter the season, it is important to reduce any distractions while behind the wheel. Already, many drivers are going to be distracted because of the busy traffic, the stress of the holidays, cell phones, or the high pile of gifts sitting in their back seats. More so during the holiday season, you should avoid cell phone use or eating while driving down the road. Keeping your distractions to a minimum can increase your road safety for not only yourself but others who you are sharing the road with.