Driving a truck isn’t easy, but those who live their lives on the road learn to love the experience. Whether you are considering a career in truck driving or you’ve completed more than a dozen long hauls, you can always learn new driving tips to improve your time on the road. Here are three driving tips that even expert truck drivers can learn from. Are any of them a surprise to you?
Safety Is Key
Drivers of any experience level can always stand a refresher when it comes to safety. Four wheelers are often the biggest safety concern on the road for both truck drivers and those in passenger cars. Safety remains very important, as today’s drivers are aggressive in their treatment of trucks on the road. Many times, cars merging will try to cut in front of trucks in close proximity instead of falling back. It’s essential that all truckers practice defensive driving to protect themselves and their trucks on the road.
Electronic Software Is the Future
Logging is going digital, which means that every truck driver needs to adapt. While some drivers don’t want to make the change from paper records, electronic records are effective and impossible to lose, unlike their traditional counterparts. However, some experienced truckers dislike logging software because it encourages them to rush and drive as much as possible in a day. Previously, drivers could get away with stopping for a nap and lunch and driving later in the day. Now, they’re on the clock and everyone knows it!
Parking and Eating
Expert truck drivers know the right time to stop and the right time to sleep. It can be hard to get the hang of life on the road if you aren’t sure which times are the best to drive. You should always plan on pulling into filling stations before 7 PM. If you can, call clients ahead of time to ask for overnight parking on the way. If there isn’t an official rest stop that you can take a break at, you can usually get away with sleeping in a Walmart parking lot. However, veteran truckers always suggest staying away from paid parking. Truck stop reserved parking is a waste of money and almost never worth it.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star For All Your Trucking Needs
Whether you need new parts for you truck or are simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.
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