By using nine good habits, truckers can continue to ride the highways in a safe manner.

Drive Defensively

Driving defensively means thinking ahead and anticipating potential hazards. Make sure you’re constantly checking your mirrors and leaving enough space ahead of you allow enough time to brake. Also, it’s important you’re in good mental and physical condition in order to safely and successfully practice defensive driving.

Always plan your trip

No matter where you’re going or how long you’re going to be driving for, always plan your trip! Not only does this solidify an efficient trip and keep you in check with driving hours and other requirements, it also increases the safety of your journey. Because the planning has already been done for you, you won’t be sidetracked by what to do next.

When in doubt, slow down!

When responding to changes on the road, start by slowing down. Speeding may result in an accident, an inability to stop when necessary, or loss of control of the vehicle. Due to their size, trucks typically take longer to stop, so it’s important for a truck driver to be aware of how much time they will need to brake.

Get comfortable

Being comfortable while driving is one of the most important safety tips for truck drivers to follow. When sitting in the cab of your truck for long periods of time, take it upon yourself to prioritize comfort, not only in terms of professional longevity, but also in terms of post-career health. Make sure to adjust your seat position, the air-conditioning, and anything else that may need to be adjusted for maximum comfort.

Avoid all possible distractions

Distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents for truck drivers. Distractions can range from eating lunch while driving to using your cell phone on the road. To limit distractions, do the following:

• • • • • • • • Schedule eating and rest stops
              • Stay present. No matter what is going on around you, don’t lose sight of what you’re doing.