Typical truck driver mistakes

Many people think that the trucker's job is romantic. Because every day you can see different cities or even countries. However, this is extremely difficult work. Beginners can quickly quit this business if they don’t have the proper experience. Knowing the frequent mistakes of other truck drivers will improve the driving style and save the life.

• Incorrect seat position

Too free position at the wheel and the arbitrary position of hands, feet, and body help to reduce attention. The driver's position should be proper that he can take immediate action to prevent an accident at any time. The driver should always be ready to sharply turn the steering wheel and press the brake pedal.

The typical mistake of newcomers is a whole body overload with excessively bent hands. This shows first of all the driver's uncertainty. It is likely that such a driver forgets to signal at the turns, lags with braking and makes many inappropriate movements. Stressed neck muscles interfere with normal vision.

• Frequent acceleration and deceleration

Sharp unnecessary acceleration will be combined with the same sharp deceleration. Those actions are unsettling the driver that follows you. Avoid sharp pressure on the gas pedal, do not exceed the optimal working mode of the engine and keep a distance.

Another typical mistake for novice drivers is lack of a sense of the pedal and the ability to start from a standstill. Such a driver usually prematurely shifting into a higher gear but loses momentum due to large pauses during shift speeds.

• Improper Left-Hand Turns

Entry into the left turn is connected with oncoming traffic. For a normal car, it takes just a few seconds to turn left. Trucks block oncoming traffic while left-hand turning for a much longer period of time. The driver of the oncoming vehicle has limited room for maneuver in order to prevent a collision with the trailer and the truck due to its size.

• Blocking an Intersection

Blocking a road in an attempt to go on the highway or change the direction can cause an accident due to the fact that the driver of another vehicle may have not enough time to stop in order to avoid a collision. Such accidents often occur due to the lack of visibility of the truck: damaged and dirty reflectors and lights can prevent another driver from seeing the size and position of your truck.

• Rear-End Collisions

A large vehicle requires more time for braking and stopping than cars. This can cause serious injury to the driver of a smaller vehicle. Driver fatigue, distracting movements, improperly fixed cargo, faulty brakes can cause rear-end collisions. Too early turning and turning with braked wheels If the turn is too early, you will go to the curb, and the braked wheels threaten to drift. Beginners reach the drift on a turn with a sharp pressure on the gas in a moment of leaving the turn. Be more careful at the final phase of the turn to maintain control of the truck.

• Coasting on long slopes and fast driving on gravel road

In case of coasting, you will have to restrain the truck with a brake, which in the end will lead to overheating of the brake mechanisms, a decrease in its performance, or even the jamming of the brakes.