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5 Safety Tips for Roadside Breakdowns

You’re heading down the highway when trouble strikes. Whether it’s a tire going down, a dying battery or an electrical issue, you’ll need to know how to react. Use these five tips to stay safe during a roadside breakdown:

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15 Ways To Keep Yourself Safe on the Road

Truck driving can be dangerous. Follow these 15 tips to keep yourself safe on and off the road:

Before You Leave

1. Plan your route. Know where you’re headed, where you might stop along the way, where you’ll encounter heavy traffic, and where you might need to make a detour.

2. Complete a pre-trip inspection. Take 15 minutes to check your truck’s general condition, fluid levels, tires, lights, brakes, gauges and controls.

3. Buckle up. Don’t leave without putting on your seat belt. Thirty percent of truck drivers killed in crashes were partially or totally ejected from their vehicles, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

When You’re Driving

4. Watch for dangers. Scan ahead 15 seconds (one-quarter mile on an interstate or one to two blocks in cities) for traffic issues, work zones and other dangers.

5. Check your mirrors. Look at them every eight to 10 seconds and watch for vehicles in your blind spots.

6. Limit lane changes. If you do change lanes, use your turn signals and brakes to alert other drivers.

7. Keep an eye on the sky. Watch the weather and slow down when needed due to road conditions (snow, rain, ice) or layout (tight curves, mountainous terrain).

8. Slow down in work zones. Obey all signs and speed limits, watch for road crews, maintain extra following distance and be prepared to stop.

9. Avoid distractions. Truckers and bus drivers are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near-crash or lane deviation while texting, says the FMCSA.

10. Steer clear of aggressive drivers. If you see other drivers tailgating, making unsafe lane changes, failing to signal or speeding, get out of their way. Stay relaxed. Don’t make eye contact. Ignore any rude gestures.

When You Stop

11. Park only in well-lit areas.

12. Lock your truck and secure your cargo and any valuables.

13. Be alert. Watch for any suspicious activity at or around your truck, and don’t walk between trailers at a truck stop.

14. Inspect your vehicle so you’re ready for the next leg of your trip.

15. Get sleep. Sleeping seven to nine hours a night will keep you refreshed.

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Avoid These 3 Holiday Driving Hazards

During the holiday season, more than one-third of Americans travel by car, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). This year, experts expect those numbers to rise. The result: congested roads.

Steer clear of danger. Watch for these three common holiday hazards:

1. Congestion – The holidays can turn your favorite route into a nightmare. Take charge by planning your trip ahead of time. Map out a few different routes, so you’ll know where to go — and what to do — should you hit a traffic jam. Leave early if possible so you have more time to reach your destination. And limit the number of lane changes you make on your route.

2. Impaired driving – When roads get crowded, people who drive while impaired create a high risk of injury not just for themselves but for everyone else on the highway. Impaired driving includes:

Drunk driving – In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 39% of traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers.
Drowsy driving – As many as 27% of U.S. drivers say they sleep less than 6 hours a night, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. That number increases in December as people handle numerous holiday obligations.
Distracted driving – Texting, eating, drinking, map reading and other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, during which time a driver traveling at 55 mph goes 371 feet (longer than a football field), according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Combat all these behaviors by driving defensively. Check your mirrors often. Scan ahead at least a quarter of a mile. Look for telltale signs of impaired driving, such as swerving, tailgating and drifting. Stay sober. Don’t text and drive. And get at least seven hours of sleep.

3. Winter weather – The holidays mean snow, sleet and freezing temperatures for certain parts of the U.S. Take extra caution on bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than the road. Clear all ice and snow from your truck and trailer. Keep a fully stocked emergency kit, and carry extra blankets, bottled water and non-perishable foods if you get stuck.

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