Holding your commercial driver’s license (CDL) ensures that you have multiple career paths to follow. Whether you want to be an OTR trucker, a bus driver, or work as an owner-operator, this initial investment unlocks a lot of doors to pursue opportunities.

 

Every job has some risks to manage, although some are more serious than others. If you work as a writer, you might invest in wrist braces or keyboards that prevent carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms from developing.

 

When you work as a professional CDL driver, you need to think about what might happen inside and outside your rig. If you’re driving across the country, that truck becomes your home for days or weeks at a time.

 

That means you’ll want to take specific precautions to stay safe on the road as a trucker.

 

How to Protect Yourself While Working as a CDL Driver

 

Being a CDL driver can be rewarding, but you need to take proactive steps to protect yourself while on the road to maximize those benefits. Here are some of the best ways you can be safer while working.

 

1. Wear Your Seatbelt

It isn’t always convenient to have your seatbelt on while driving. You might need to reach for some snacks, communicate with others, or just shift your position to something more comfortable. Even if you’re not protected this way momentarily, you’re taking an unnecessary risk while on the road.

 

Many accident-caused fatalities are preventable by wearing a seatbelt. It’s a legal requirement in most states and countries, which means it’ll be harder to help you if an issue occurs – even if you’re not at fault.

 

2. Stick to the Speed Limit

Some freeway stretches are long, straight, and tedious. There’s a stretch on I-70, where you travel over 100 miles between services. If you’re on the Los Angeles to Seattle run, there’s a long section north of Sacramento where it’s tempting to drive faster because you can make up some time before managing the mountain inclines. [[1]]

 

When you drive too fast, it’s harder to make sudden turns and stops. If you get pulled over and ticketed, your insurance rates can rise. It might even be harder to maintain employment with some firms.

 

Many high-speed freeways and highways post a truck speed limit that’s different from what passenger cars must follow. You’ll want to be aware of these changes when you’re behind the wheel.

 

3. Don’t Use Alcohol or Drugs

What you choose to do with your downtime is up to you. When you’re behind the wheel, you should not use alcohol or drugs that impair your ability to work.

 

If you drink heavily the evening before you need to be on the road, there could be higher alcohol levels in your system than you realize. It could even put you above the legal limit. [[2]]

 

Some over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, can make you feel drowsy as a side effect. It helps to read each label carefully and check for potential issues before you get started for the day.

 

4. Put the Cell Phone Away

It’s illegal to use a cell phone while driving in most states today. Some laws equate getting pulled over while using an electronic device with drunk driving. That means you could be criminally charged if caught. [[3]]

 

Even if you’re bored and working somewhere with minimal traffic, avoid the temptation to check your phone. You never know when someone might see and report this activity.

 

Phone use while driving is also associated with higher accident rates.

 

Using a hands-free set is permitted in some states, as is connecting your phone to the truck’s Bluetooth system. It’s still better to wait until taking your break before making a call.

 

Other phone-based activities, such as changing your playlist, checking social media notifications, or replying to a text are still distractions.

 

Today, some vehicles come equipped with dual-facing dash cameras with AI that detects distracted driving. It’s based on the driver’s head position, such as when you look down to read a mobile device. This footage makes it easier to see the dangers of these decisions to reduce the likelihood of an accident happening.

 

5. Think About Your Distance

The distance between your vehicle and other cars on the road goes by several different terms. One of the best is the “space cushion.” Driving a heavy rig means it’ll take longer for it to stop when immediate braking is necessary.

 

Your size and weight also need more spatial awareness around all sides of your rig, vehicle, and trailer.

 

When fuel prices rise, you’ll see more drivers take risks to stay within your aerodynamic profile. They do this to reduce wind resistance that could impact their miles per gallon. It isn’t always easy to catch when someone might be riding on your tail.

 

There is the issue of brake-checking to consider, especially for OTR drivers. The only thing better than driving right behind a trailer is to get between two truckers on the road to improve gas mileage. You’ll find people passing, and then cutting into your lane and slamming on their brakes to get to where they want to be.

 

It helps to drive defensively, even if everyone else on the road is being inconsiderate. Your goal should be to deliver your cargo and get home safely to the people you love.

 

6. Take No Risks

Trucks and large vehicles can be challenging to maneuver, even for experienced CDL drivers. When you see a posted or suggested speed limit for off-ramps, curves, or road sections, it’s a good idea to prepare for those events well in advance.

 

It helps to slow down well before any moves or turns are necessary. That includes changing lanes if someone in front is moving slower than you.

 

The three-second rule works for most situations. If you know that a tight turn or a difficult off-ramp is coming, start the slowing process at least three seconds before you need to make movements. [[4]]

 

If heavy rain or high wind is present, increase the time to five seconds to ensure you don’t encounter unexpected problems.

 

Should the roads be snow-covered or icy, a ten-second window is necessary to keep you and everyone else safe.

 

You can do everything right and be impacted by another driver who makes an improper choice. That’s why one of the best things you can do to stay safe is to stock your cab with extra clothes, a first aid kit, snacks, water, and blankets.

 

7. Develop a Preventative Maintenance Schedule

Your safety journey begins with how safe the vehicle is that you’re operating. When trucks, trailers, buses, and others that require a CDL aren’t up-to-date with their regularly scheduled maintenance, it is more likely that a breakdown will happen on the road.

 

It helps to use telematics devices to have real-time visibility into your engine data, odometer, and fault codes. This information enables your mechanics to build out a proactive preventative maintenance schedule based on your operating habits.

 

With regular upkeep and immediate repairs, your vehicle can remain at its best so that you can keep meeting those deadlines.

 

As part of this routine, try to be in the habit of conducting pre-and post-trip inspections. They’re required by the Department of Transportation, but that doesn’t mean drivers do what is necessary to give their full attention to this work.

 

Several apps are available today that let you submit electronic DVIRs. The best options today allow drivers to submit the information from their mobile devices, walking you through each inspection step. Don’t forget to take photographs to ensure your documentation is thorough.

 

8. Take Your Breaks

When you drive commercial motor vehicles, you’re required to take specific breaks before continuing to operate under HOS regulations. That means you get a 30-minute stoppage during the day and enough time to sleep at night. [[5]]

 

You’re also required to take an extended break after putting in a specific number of hours during the week.

 

Outside of those mandatory breaks, it helps to prioritize safety at all times. If you feel tired or impaired, don’t stay on the road. Even if that means taking time out of your on-duty hours, a few minutes can mean the difference between arriving safely or being involved in an at-fault accident.

 

It might be tempting to shave a few minutes here and there from your break times on a tight deadline. There isn’t any cargo so important that it’s worth risking your life! The best employers recognize this fact and support your decisions. As an owner-operator, you might need to set some boundaries for yourself.

 

Although every job has some risks to manage, working as a CDL driver comes with a unique set of circumstances to control. Knowing how to stay safe on the road ensures that you can maximize your income, especially if you’re an owner-operator. Use these ideas in whatever ways make sense for your needs so that you can work as safely as possible.

 

[[1]] https://www.treehugger.com/north-americas-loneliest-roads-4869205

[[2]] https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/how-long-in-system

[[3]] https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-state-enacts-new-e-dui-law-for-driving-under-the-influence-of-phones

[[4]] https://driversed.com/trending/what-safe-following-distance

[[5]] https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service