Safety Measures for Trucking Companies

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If you own a small trucking company, safety is the most important thing you have to worry about. You must worry about the well-being of drivers on the road, your truckers, and the public in general.

Any car accident is devastating. However, a trucking accident often results in very serious injuries and even death. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has very strict regulations. Trucking companies are required to report everything from driver’s background checks to daily safety inspections and driver’s hours to the FMCSA. Despite this, there are many trucking accidents in the United States annually.

There are a few safety measures your trucking company can take to greatly reduce the risk of an accident.

Have a Regular Maintenance Schedule

Professional truck drivers are required to perform safety checks on their vehicles before going on the road. Drivers must also perform a check at the end of their journey. The FMCSA requires you to keep a record of the safety checks and repairs on file. 

If you want to reduce the need for repair, have your drivers and mechanics perform regular maintenance once or twice a month. Changing the oil and the brake pads of a truck regularly and rotating tires occasionally will make trucks run better and reduce your need for time-consuming repairs.

Offer Defensive Driving Classes

When you hire a professional truck driver, they will often have attended a trucking school and be well-versed in the FMCSA’s regulations. They should know how to operate an electronic logging device as well. However, it is always a good idea to offer some kind of training. One of the most valuable things you can teach a trucker is defensive driving.

A defensive driving class should include several different key strategies. No matter what kind of vehicle a person drives, they should always be taught to stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of them so they will have time to stop.

Drivers should carry an emergency kit in their truck that includes food, water, and a first aid kit. They should have plenty of warm blankets in their sleeping berth in case they are stranded somewhere that is cold.

Drivers must always use turn signals when they change lanes or turn a corner. Many accidents can be avoided by this simple action. 

Drivers need to be taught to slow down when traffic or road conditions require it. Drivers often feel pressure to get their cargo where it is going in time. However, the safety of people on the road is much more important.

Avoid Distractions

An over-the-road truck driver will often be behind the wheel for 11 hours at a stretch. It is easy for them to get bored, but checking cell phones and composing or reading text messages can cause an accident.

Inform your drivers of the dangers of distracted driving. Let them know there will be consequences if you receive a report of them looking at their cell phone when they are supposed to be driving. Fear of unemployment can be a great incentive to drive safely.