Delivery Driver Safety Tips

The trucking industry is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 4,000 people died in large truck crashes in 2013 alone. That’s about 46 deaths per day! If you are a delivery driver or long-haul trucker, then it is important to stay safe on the road with these delivery driver safety tips:

Safety Tips for Drivers & Truckers

Wear a Seat Belt: Seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to truck drivers by 45%. The same is true for front-seat passengers – they are also less likely to be fatally injured in a crash if they use their safety belts. It’s also important that all children under 13 years old ride in the backseat and use a safety belt or child restraint appropriate for their age and size.
Don’t Drive Tired: Be sure to get enough shut-eye before your trip! You should never drive more than 11 hours at a time – after that, you need to take an eight-hour break. Remember, any extra driving during the day counts as part of those 11 hours. If you’re in the middle of a long trip and you’re starting to feel tired, pull over for 15 minutes in an area where it is safe to park. Take a quick nap to get your brain relaxed and focused again.
Don’t Drive Distracted: Turn off your phone while driving so that you can focus on getting from point A to point B safely. If possible, use voice-activated GPS to avoid taking your eyes off the road. This is especially true for night-time driving due to the lower visibility range.
Don’t Drive Impaired: Don’t drink and drive! It is illegal to have a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher while driving in all 50 states, as well as being extremely dangerous if you’re on the road with other drivers who may not be paying attention because they are impaired.
Don’t Tailgate: This is one of the most common causes of large truck accidents! You should always leave at least two seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when going up to 40 mph on an interstate or highway. Leave more space if it’s raining or visibility is poor.
Install Cameras: Installing cameras throughout your vehicle can be a great way to protect yourself from accidents and assaults when you’re on the road. If someone does try to assault or attack you, then they have no choice but to leave if they know that their face is being recorded! This also helps the authorities catch those responsible.
Know the Route: If you’re a trucker, then it is important to be familiar with your route and any potential hazards that you may encounter. For example, if there’s construction on the freeway near where you will be dropping off or picking up packages, make sure to take an alternate route so that things go smoothly without any interruptions!
Leverage Buddy System: If you’re a delivery driver or trucker, then try to partner up with other drivers that work for the same company as you. You can help each other out if something happens while on the road – like someone tries to assault you and steal your money!