With their larger size and the added danger when on the road, heavy vehicles require a lot more care and skill to drive. Accidents are far more damaging to others around you, and the potential for loss of life is great when you’re in the driver’s seat of a large, difficult to handle vehicle – staying aware and in control is of the utmost importance.
Be Observant to Road Signs
Always observe the road signs and respect other road users. Just because you have a big truck does not make you any superior to the other road users. Making use of the road sign will reduce accidents. Therefore, every road user has the right to use the road according to the traffic rules.
Proper Road Communication
When changing lanes, taking on a new direction or slowing down to stop, make sure that the other road users read and understand your intentions well. This is where you will need to apply the correct use of your indicators and signals. Keep the correct lane position and make sure your brake light is functioning well.
Keep your Distance
For most vehicles, observing the two-second rule is crucial to maintaining a safe following distance. Heavy vehicle operators cannot generalize so easily and must be certain to take extreme care when following to ensure that, if they do have to stop in a hurry, they will not be putting themselves or others in danger.
Do Regular Servicing
One of the most important things you can do before heading out is making sure that your vehicle won’t be running on any broken, worn down or damaged parts. Check the brakes and brake drums regularly, make sure your vehicle is carefully maintained and adhere to any and all warrant of fitness regulations. Anytime you experience a mechanical failure on the road. Others are immediately in danger. Particular attention should be given to the vehicle’s braking capacity.
With a heavy vehicle fitted with brake drums, a break in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads pressing against the inner surface of a rotating drum, shoes or pads need to be checked regularly for wear and tear and adjustment of the braking system may be required to ensure that the braking is achieved in a timely and safe manner as soon as the driver applies the brakes. Avoid problems before they occur by regularly checking your vehicle and keeping it in the best possible shape for handling any weather or load.
Care for those Behind you
On rural roads, motorways, and highways, knowing what’s going on around you can help you to avoid becoming a danger and inconvenience to other road users. If you are traveling with a heavy load, often you won’t be able to maintain a speed that’s as fast as you’d like. When you have people behind you, it’s a good idea to pull to the left and slow down to let them pass; overtaking can be a huge hassle and safety issue when you aren’t actively aware of your surroundings as a heavy vehicle operator.
