4 Critical Tips for the Safe Haulier

As someone who spends long hours on the road, a haulier knows the value of safety. But how can one consistently ensure their safety? The following are just four of the best ways to maintain safe working practices in the haulage business.

Drive Defensively

As a haulier, you already know how dangerous the situation can get when you’re out on the road, but we’re saying this again: always drive with your guard on. It's an excellent idea to undergo rigorous training for defensive driving as well. Modern strategies for defensive driving continue to evolve, so there should always be a place in your schedule for attending such training once or twice a year. (Take up training lessons specifically focusing on UK roads.)

Formulate Safety Policies

What can make a road accident even worse is if the driver of the truck freezes in a panic and doesn't know what to do in such a situation. It does not have to be that way—you can avoid such problems even before they happen. Formulate policies and educate your drivers on certain rigorous procedures that they must stick to in case of accidents. For instance, they must be aware of their responsibilities whatever happens on the road, and they should know the safest way of dealing with the situation and preventing it from worsening. Most importantly, drivers should be well trained in safety procedures to prepare them for the unexpected.

Safety Begins in the Workplace

As a haulier, you should know that road safety does not begin and end when one is out on the road—safety begins long before the vehicle rolls out of the depot. It is therefore imperative to be aware it is your drivers' responsibility to always be on the lookout for any safety-related issue they may encounter, on or off the road. For example, they must report any potentially dangerous situation, especially those that the inspectors might have missed. Drivers should also always be included in company meetings, as their input is needed; after all, they are the ones who are on the frontline every single day.

Avoid Fatigue

The work of a haulier can be very demanding—sometimes it means being on the road for long hours, pushing physical limits. When someone is tired, there is no act of will that can stop fatigue from clouding the mind and leaving them prone to mistakes. The advice here is not how to fight fatigue, but to respect it when it makes its presence known. On the driver’s part, it is their responsibility to put contingencies in place when they feel fatigued, such as finding a safe parking space and taking a nap. Drinking coffee or energy drinks can provide short-term alertness. Eventually, a tired brain will win, and if it needs to rest, give it a rest. On the management’s part, log books and rest times should always be consulted to ensure that no driver is being forced to their limit and made to work longer than necessary.