Tips for Safe Driving of Trucks

Characteristics of Trucks

Firstly, when driving a large truck, it's essential to understand its characteristics: large size - large inertia; high center of gravity - significant centrifugal force; long body - occupies a large space; long wheelbase - significant inner wheel offset; air pressure brake - fast braking response; large steering wheel with slower response than smaller vehicles; many gears (six or more) with small gear gaps. In summary, operating a large truck is more complex and requires more strength than driving a smaller vehicle.

Truck Driving Poses Significant Safety Hazards

Statistics show that accidents involving commercial trucks account for 83.3% of the total fatalities in traffic accidents.

Precautions for Driving Trucks

Avoid Driving While Fatigued

Truck drivers often experience fatigue and lack of concentration due to long hours and distances driven. Some may even fall asleep while driving, especially on wide and straight roads or during long downhill stretches, which can lead to visual impairment. Fatigue driving reduces judgment and reaction time, and in severe cases, can lead to loss of control over the vehicle, resulting in serious accidents. Therefore, ensure adequate sleep before departure and avoid driving while fatigued.

Strictly Avoid Overloading and Overheight Driving

Overloading a truck raises its center of gravity, significantly affecting vehicle handling, increasing braking distance, and the risk of brake failure and rollover. For the safety of oneself and others, freight drivers should consciously resist overloading transportation to ensure safety.

Avoid Changing Lanes Arbitrarily

Although trucks have better forward visibility due to their higher seating position compared to cars, they also have more blind spots at the rear and sides due to their wider and longer bodies. Changing lanes on highways increases safety risks and can lead to rear-end collisions. Truck drivers should strictly adhere to their lanes on highways and avoid driving aggressively. When changing lanes, always use turn signals in advance and observe the rear and sides for parallel vehicles to ensure safety before merging.