Jobs that involve a lot of driving can often be tough. Driving for a lot of hours during the day is tiring, and can be dull. Truck drivers need to stay safe on the road and be responsible for the safety of other road users around them, especially when driving a large vehicle. Here are the best ways for fleet drivers to stay safe on the road and reduce the risk of accidents.  

1. Always wear a seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt is more common than you might think among truck drivers. Wearing a seatbelt is a legal requirement, and is the best way to reduce the likelihood of injury and death if you are in an accident. If you are involved in a crash, even truck accident lawyers who get results will have a tough time helping if your driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
   
2. Don’t use a phone while driving. Using a phone while you drive is a distraction from the road. Instead, use a hands-free set, or connect your phone to the vehicle’s Bluetooth if you need to make a call and can’t wait until you take a break. Even this can be distracting, so only do it if you really have to. Try to leave your phone alone until your break. 
   
3. Stick to the speed limit. Speed limits are put in place for a reason, to keep you and other road users safe, so make sure you know them and follow them. This keeps you a lot safer and is safer for vehicles on the road.
   
4. Don’t use drugs and alcohol. This sounds obvious, but can be easier than you think to misjudge your limits. Alcohol is in your system for longer than many people think. This means that if you drink the night before you drive, you could still be over the legal limit in the morning. Be careful if you drink the night before a job. Remember that drugs also include legal medications, as some can make you feel drowsy. Always read the packet carefully for possible side effects that could cause problems. 
   
5. Plan your trip. If you’re going to be driving a long distance, plan before you go. If you know about any potential issues such as difficult roads, bad weather, or road closures, you can better prepare for them. 
   
6. Be aware of your truck’s space cushion. A truck is a large, heavy vehicle. You should always have a safe amount of space around the truck on all sides to avoid hitting other vehicles or road furniture. 
   
7. Slow down for turns and curves. Trucks are difficult to manoeuvre so you must focus. Slow down with plenty of time before any turns and moves like changing lanes. 
   
8. Maintain a proper stopping distance. Trucks take longer to stop than smaller vehicles because they’re heavier. Leave yourself enough room to come to a complete stop if you have to brake suddenly. You don’t want to brake and then hit the back of the car in front of you because you can’t stop quickly enough.