Truck Driving: Safety Between the Lines
For many reasons, truckers often do not position themselves properly in their lane, which can be devastating to others on the road due to their sheer size. And some roads are not well designed for large trucks because they are narrow and have steep edge drop-off, making any mistake a potentially fatal one.
Regardless of the vehicle you're driving, learning proper lane positioning may take years of experience, but it is an important skill to learn because it could prevent loads from shifting and causing an overturn or losing control of your vehicle.
Causes
Here are some common causes of poor lane positioning or conditions that could cause you to veer out of your lane:
- Difficult weather and poor visibility make it impossible to see lane, shoulder and center lines
- Driver distraction or inattentiveness
- Driver inexperience
- Road obstructions that cause swerving
- Activities of other drivers on the road that cause swerving
- Tire or mechanical failure
- Driving through a construction zone that has narrow lanes surrounded by barriers
Solutions
- For newer drivers, keep in mind positioning a large truck is different than a car. In many cases, the trailer is wider than the cab, so you need to position yourself accordingly.
- Use your mirrors to determine whether you are properly positioned in your lane.
- In poor visibility where you cannot see roads, err on the side of caution by driving closer to the left side of the lane if possible. This is especially important if there is a lot of snow on the ground, as you will not be able to see how wide the shoulder is and whether there is a steep pavement drop-off. Once you have a hard time gaining control of the truck, especially in winter.
- Be aware of the pavement grade and position accordingly to prevent your truck load from shifting.
- Beware of high winds! If you are driving in an area prone to wind tunnels or during bad weather, you need to pay extra attention to your lane positioning. Be especially alert on bridges, overpasses and when driving next to another truck that my be temporarily blocking the wind.
TrueNorth Tips for Drivers: Unsafe Driving and Lane Violations
Click on the icon below to download a copy of the CSA lane change guidelines.
TSA: Truckers Service Association
Truckers Service Association is a non-profit organization we work with to deliver specialized benefits and insurance products to owner-operators to optimally protect their businesses and families. Find out more about TSA by visiting their website, www.tsatruck.com. TSA offers a number of value-added benefits to drivers with membership.
TrueNorth Keeps You Safe on the Road
At TrueNorth, our mission is to assist transportation companies and their people with protecting and maximizing assets, resources and opportunities. Learn how TrueNorth's Transportation Division can help you achieve your goals and provide peace of mind while you're on the road. Call us today at (800) 877-9637.