Every year, people from all walks of life around the UK begin working as haulage drivers. This career path is an exceptionally exciting one – the travelling to different parts of the country (and even abroad), the time spent cruising down the open road and the interesting people you meet along the way are just three of the many perks of this job. However, with all that exhilaration also comes a great deal of responsibility.
While all haulage drivers should make sure their driving is always up to scratch, it’s especially important that those new to the industry do this. Implementing good habits from the start will ensure a long and safe career on the road so here are some top tips on how to do just that.
Stay Alert
This one should be obvious – and new haulage drivers actually tend to be pretty good at this, as they aren’t completely used to the roads yet and may be a little nervous. However, as time goes by and you get more and more comfortable behind the wheel, you run the risk of letting your guard down. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you as you become a seasoned driver! Ensure you remain alert and aware of everything that’s going on around you on the roads; you should be conscious of who or what is behind, beside and in front of your lorry at all times.
Stay Cautious
This is especially important at night, as visibility is poorer than it is during the day. If you’re in a tight manoeuvring situation, it’s better to move slowly and cautiously, even if it takes you a little longer. After all, you don’t want to find yourself in a ditch or rammed into the back of another haulage driver’s lorry.
You should also maintain extra caution when you’re changing lanes – or, better yet, just stay in one lane as much as you possibly can. If you do have to merge, move slowly into the next lane. Make sure you’re aware of your blind spots (cars and motorbikes can easily hide in them) and check your mirrors frequently. New drivers should be especially conscious of this as they are likely still getting used to the size of their lorry.
Stay Informed
Always check both weather and traffic reports before you depart on a trip (it also doesn’t hurt to look at them for any updates whenever you’re stopped during your journey). You’ll want to be aware of any bad road conditions so you can make the necessary preparations, whether it be taking another route to avoid a heavy traffic flow or making sure you bring the right supplies in case of inclement weather.
If you’re one of the many new haulage drivers out on the roads, it’s so important that you develop good driving habits early. It will make maintaining them for the remainder of your career easy, as they’ll be burned into your brain and become second nature. With these tricks up your sleeve, having a long, safe logistics career will be a breeze.
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage drivers with jobs in road transport and haulage work, and is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.
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