Trucking safety measures are critical for promoting the well-being of drivers and other road users, protecting the public, and reducing accidents on the road. Trucks are massive and heavy vehicles that can easily cause severe injuries, fatalities, and property damage in accidents.
Some trucks transport hazardous materials, and without proper safety measures, they can pose serious environmental threats. Various truck permit services can help you boost your truck company’s safety measures and ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Here is what you should know about safety measures in the trucking industry.
Driver Training and Qualifications
The first trucking safety measures begin during the hiring process. Drivers undergo thorough screening, including drug tests, before and during employment. Qualified drivers with proper commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and relevant experience are the preferred candidates for truck driving roles.
This contributes to safety measures as their driving experience, qualifications, and behavior are already established.
FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration imposes hours of service regulations to prevent driver fatigue-related accidents.
Truckers driving hours are limited and rest breaks and off-duty periods are mandatory. With the implementation of electronic logging devices (ELDs), service hours are accurately tracked and reported, ensuring road safety and compliance.
Routine Vehicle Maintenance and Inspections
Truck companies have to regularly inspect and maintain their fleets, ensuring safe operating conditions. This is where ELD devices also play a crucial role as they help with management.
Conducting pre-trip and post-trip inspections to identify and address any potential issues with tires, brakes, lights, and other components is crucial. This helps them abide by safety standards and reduces the risks of potential accidents due to faulty equipment.
Speed Management, Driver Distraction, and Impairment Prevention
Some trucking companies avoid excessive speeding. ELD devices easily verify driving behavior, and drivers can suffer penalties for speeding.
There are speed-limiting devices that can be implemented to prevent unsafe driving speeds. An additional safety measure that truck companies can implement is the prohibition of handheld device usage while driving and the promotion of distraction-free driving practices.
To prevent impaired driving, many truck companies implement policies and education programs to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Each truck company is required by the FMCSA to perform annual randomized drug tests on a percentage of their drivers to ensure safety and deter them from engaging in such substances while driving.
Defensive Driving and Accident Prevention
Truck drivers can enhance road safety by maintaining safe following distances, anticipating potential hazards, and being aware of their blind spots. Because of this, companies use training programs and accident prevention strategies, including skid control, emergency braking, and evasive maneuvers. This ensures that their drivers can deal with dangerous circumstances.
Load Securement and Safety Technology
Truck companies should ensure proper loading and securement of cargo to prevent shifting or load loss during transit. They provide training on load securement techniques, including the use of appropriate restraints, dunnage, and tie-downs.
With the advent of technology, the trucking industry has found even more ways to prevent accidents from occurring and promote safety. Collision mitigation systems, lane departure warning systems, and electronic stability control can help prevent accidents and improve driver awareness.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that provide real-time feedback and alerts to drivers about potential safety risks are also efficient safety measures commonly found in the trucking industry.
Regulatory Compliance and Emergency Preparedness
Lastly, trucking companies must stay up-to-date with the latest federal and state regulations and comply with requirements issued by agencies such as FMCSA. Through technology, trucking companies can develop and communicate emergency and response plans to drivers in the event of accidents, breakdowns, and adverse weather conditions and ensure emergency preparedness.