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.

 

The life of a truck driver is a life spent on the road most of the time. They are alone, a lot. And let’s face it, being on the road can be difficult for truck drivers at times. It can bring dipression and loneliness. Being away from family and friends for a long period of time will take a toll on anyone. For truckers, this is just a day in the life. The feeling of loneliness is a feeling no one should feel on a daily basis. Here are a few tips that we’ve received about how to deal with the loneliness and make the days easier.

Tips for Overcoming Loneliness as a Truck Driver
 Take a furry animal on the road, rather its a dog or a cat. They will keep you companionship.

The best way to avoid loneliness is to have a “man’s (or woman’s) best friend” with them. Bringing a dog or animal on the road with you is absolutely allowed. Doing so will not only provide someone to talk to (without judgment) but to play and cuddle with. They will not only help curb loneliness but can also help with staying in shape.  Feeding them and taking them for walks will keep you occupied and smiling. Having someone to take care of will give you a feeling of responsibility. Haven’t you heard? Pets are mans best friends.

 

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.