708-467-7181     16425 Van Dam Rd., South Holland, IL 60473

 

Regardless of your experience driving your truck cross-country, you might not be able to maneuver your vehicle through a natural disaster or severe storm. And breakdowns can pose their own slew of problems when you’re trying to make a deadline on your delivery. Fortunately, you don’t have to embark on your next route unprepared.
Before you put the pedal to the metal, read our emergency preparedness guide below. Here, we discuss which items you should keep stocked in your truck in case you experience or encounter any kind of emergency on the road.
Emergencies to Plan For
First, you should know exactly what kinds of emergencies you should plan for during each specific journey. Generally, though, you should prepare for the following scenarios

    Severe weather like heavy rain or snowstorms
    Flooding
    Traffic jams
    Truck breakdowns
    Wildfires
    Landslides
    Rockslides
    Tornadoes
    Road closures
    Accidents
    High winds

Many hazards will vary based on your location and the time of year. Before you hit the road, you can also check the National Weather Service or use an app to track specific weather conditions along your route.

 

Depreciation
When you buy a brand-new semi, it depreciates in value as soon as you drive it off the dealer, just as a new car does. And most of the depreciation that follows happens within the first months.
When you buy a used truck that's been "around the block" for several years, depreciation no longer becomes a real issue, making your investment in a used truck much more solid. In fact, used models hold their value as time goes on, more so than a new truck does.
This becomes a huge advantage when it comes time to sell, particularly if you have to sell soon after buying; you won't take as much of a monetary loss as you would when trying to sell a new truck.  
 

 

Wind and ice present unique challenges for drivers. Being highly aware of weather conditions can prevent unexpected circumstances and get you to your destination safely.

As part of the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign, the FMCSA has mapped out helpful tips for commercial vehicle drivers, which include:

1. Drive defensively.
Commercial drivers have to be constantly vigilant to stay aware of any unexpected road conditions, distracted drivers and motorists who don’t understand how commercial vehicles operate. Scan ahead about 15 seconds for traffic issues, work zones and other dangers. It’s also encouraged to check mirrors every 8-10 seconds to be aware of vehicles entering your blind spots.

2. Use your turn signals.
Signal and brake to give other drivers plenty of time to notice your intentions. If you need to pull off the road, use flashers, reflective triangles and road flares to alert approaching drivers.

3. Know when to slow down.
When you drive too fast for weather or poor road conditions, it creates risks for spills and rollovers, as well as crashes.

4. Maintain your vehicle.
Make sure that pre-trip safety inspections are completed, especially on your truck’s tires and brakes. Check that your load is well balanced and secure. Loose materials create road hazards.

5. Buckle up.
Safety belts save lives, reduce injuries and allow drivers to stay inside and in control of their vehicles in case of a crash.

6. Get enough rest.
Don’t drive a commercial vehicle when you’re feeling fatigued, too ill to focus or on medications that make you drowsy or dizzy.

7. Stay up to date on weather and road conditions.
Getting the right information helps you plan your trip. Be aware that non-commercial navigation systems and apps may not provide warning of height and weight limitations, as well as other commercial vehicle restrictions.

8. Practice work zone safety.