Tips To Help Truckers Avoid Accidents In St. Petersburg And Elsewhere
Michael Babboni
Trucking Accidents
St. Petersburg isn't much different from other places around the country in that tractor-trailers seem to be everywhere. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. It just means that commercial truck operators are working, delivering goods, and getting them into the hands of consumers. However, if an eighteen-wheeler driver is negligent, things can turn ugly in a hurry.For instance, if a professional is driving way above the posted speed limit on a highway when the traffic in front of them comes to a sudden halt, they might not be able to stop in time, crashing into the rear of a passenger vehicle. Obviously, tractor-trailers are much larger and heavier than most cars, trucks, and SUVs. Hence, the smaller vehicles can get mangled, and the people inside them often sustain significant injuries.
That's why today's focus is on tips to help truckers prevent accidents. Thus, if your interest is piqued, don't go away. Instead, stick around and read on to learn more.
Get Enough Rest
Whether you're an owner-operator or company driver, research indicates that you should not be driving any more than eleven hours per day. So, stick to the straight and narrow, abide by the law, and don't eclipse that number. That can make things safer for everyone on the St. Petersburg roadways, including yourself, but that alone may not be enough to prevent a crash. You could get drowsy behind the wheel if you fail to get enough rest.
Therefore, whether you're sleeping in your truck, at a hotel, or in your bed at home, be sure to catch plenty of Z's. With any luck, that will ensure you remain awake, alert, and ready to take on whatever life throws your way. But of course, we get it; it can be challenging to fall and stay asleep. If you experience such issues, consider doing things like turning electronics off an hour or so before bed, meditating, or asking your doctor if sleep aids are right for you.
Avoid Using Illegal Drugs
Because it can be so tiring driving a commercial truck, some operators turn to drugs to help them stay up and focused. However, such items often leave people impaired and unable to function correctly. Thus, substances may cause you to doze off, speed, sway in and out of lanes, and so much more.
If any of those things occur, a crash might not be far behind. So, get some much-needed rest each night before operating your big rig, and never rely on illegal substances to help you through your workdays. Then, in turn, hopefully, wrecks won't become realities, or you won't be the cause of them, at the very least.
There is another reason not to use drugs too. If you get caught driving under the influence, you could find yourself in trouble with the law. Perhaps you'll have to spend some time in jail or pay fines. Then again, you might even lose your license and not be able to work.
Always Check Your Load
Some tractor-trailer operators sit idly by while their trucks get loaded, but who can blame them really? Loading up trailers isn't necessarily in their job descriptions. Instead, they're paid to drive.
However, if you are interested in keeping accidents at bay, now could be the perfect time to start paying attention. Watching won't be enough, though. You'll also need to fix loading procedures to ensure loads aren't offset, as that could cause your trailer to flip. Hence, keep yourself and others out of harm's way by making sure your trailer is everything is loaded appropriately and secured.
The hope is that truckers who follow this advice won't be involved in crashes. Then, the number of incidents that happen on St. Petersburg streets will decline. But, please, keep this in mind. You might be entitled to fair compensation if driver negligence is responsible for your accident and injuries. Contact the St. Pete Lawyer for a free case evaluation to determine where your claim stands.