You spend a lot of your professional life driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving creates dangerous conditions for everyone on the road, including you. However, by understanding those distractions, the consistent use of best practices for distraction-free driving, and support from trucking companies, you will be safer and can help prevent accidents.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that nearly 3,000 people died in 2018 due to distracted driving. It may seem as though a distraction lasts for only a few seconds. However, a five-second distraction while traveling at 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field without realizing it.
Understanding Distractions While Behind The Wheel
Distractions are everywhere. Anything that attracts your attention from the road or takes your hands off the wheel is considered a distraction. External distractions could be a billboard or even people outside your truck gaining your attention. The distraction could also come from inside your truck. Eating, cellphones, and even the dispatch device are all potential distractions.
Best Practices To Crush Distractions
Awareness of the consequences of distracted driving is part of the solution. The other part is establishing behaviors that lend to safe driving practices.
- Take plenty of breaks when driving. Driving long distances without a break gives you plenty of time to daydream or to lose awareness of the task at hand. Taking enough breaks allows time for the brain to reset and refocus.
- It is essential to turn off devices known to be a distraction. If it is not possible to turn the cellphone off, disable the texting feature and notifications while the vehicle is in motion.
- Set GPS destination before the vehicle is in motion and place the GPS where it is easily visible while driving.
- Make all adjustments and have everything you need in place before starting a journey — for instance, seat adjustments, mirrors, and all gear organized and handy.
- Do not drive while you are drowsy. Immediately pull off the road and get some rest before continuing.
How Trucking Companies Can Help Drivers
Trucking companies prioritize driver safety. The amount of time you spend on the road increases your exposure to dangerous situations. As a result, companies take a multifaceted approach to keeping drivers safe.
- Advancements in hands-free technology are essential for your safety. Your company can provide you with technology that is not distracting. Also, driver-assist programs, such as backup cameras and sensors, and Bluetooth connectivity all help keep you focused on the road and your hands on the wheel.
- Education is critical to ensure you and other drivers are aware of what distracted driving entails and the consequences of driving behaviors. Trucking companies that take the time to show all their drivers the reality of the results of unsafe driving have drivers who buy-in to safe driving protocols.
- Trucking companies need to implement consequences for not complying with company policies related to distracted driving. However, these consequences should be consistent and enforced evenly.
- Monitoring systems are available to watch behaviors while driving. A monitoring system can detect hard braking, which might indicate an instance of distracted driving.
Here at FCC, we put driver safety at the utmost priority. Trucking companies do not implement these approaches to serve as a system to punish drivers. As you become aware of the dangers of distracted driving, you become motivated to improve your driving behaviors. Furthermore, knowing that your driving is monitored helps by creating more awareness of best practices. It helps you by giving you feedback, so you can learn from real-life experiences.