Rookie Commercial Truck Driver Mistakes to Avoid

Whether you’re driving a used or new heavy truck, when you’re new behind the wheel of a commercial truck, it is important to remember that you are no longer a regular driver. You are a professional representing your company and are tasked with the safe transport of goods. When this entails driving a large vehicle with a trailer,  it is extra important to be aware of common truck driver mistakes that rookie commercial drivers may make.

We all know mistakes happen, but mistakes behind the wheel of a big rig can have devastating consequences for you, others, and the environment. Let’s explore five rookie mistakes to be aware of. Keep reading to find out more.

  1. Ignoring Pre-Trip Inspections
    Pre-trip inspections are meant to identify potential mechanical and safety problems. When you skip this step you increase the risk of accidents, breakdowns, and costly repairs. Furthermore, ignoring this step can result in fines, penalties, and even losing your operating license because pre-trip inspections are required by law.
  2. Overlooking Blind Spots
    Most commercial vehicles are larger than standard vehicles on the road and consequently have larger blind spots. Failing to check your blind spot thoroughly can increase the risk of collision, which, because of the size of your vehicle, can result in severe injuries and fatalities.
  3. Failing to Adjust to Weather and Road Conditions
    Once again, the size of a commercial truck must be considered to avoid truck driver mistakes. Because commercial trucks require more time and space to stop, it is essential to account for this in all types of weather, especially on wet and icy roads and when visibility is poor due to fog, snow, etc.
  4. Not Managing Hours of Service (HOS) Properly
    As with pre-trip inspections, not managing your HOS correctly is both a safety issue and a regulatory violation. These regulations may seem arbitrary or annoying, but they have been created to prevent driver fatigue, a leading cause of accidents.
  5. Poor Load Management
    Not caring for your cargo properly can be both unsafe and inefficient. Several mistakes can happen when it comes to freight management:

    • improper weight distribution of cargo across axles – leads to instability and increased risk of accidents
    • inadequate cargo securement  – results in cargo shifts, damage, or losses during transit
    • overloading  –  compromises vehicle performance and safety
    • improper loading order  – results in instability and/or inefficient unloading
    • neglecting load covers  –  exposes cargo to weather and potential loss
    • ignoring dimensional limits  – increases the risk of collisions with infrastructure
    • failure to account for the load  – affects vehicle handling, safety, and efficiency
    • neglecting regular load inspections  – missing the opportunity to shift, resecure, or redistribute your load

Visit RJames Western Star

To read more about commercial trucking, visit RJames Western Star’s blog. We offer a variety of short articles about life on the road and truck care. Contact us at any one of our six locations across B.C. and Alberta for parts, service, or to purchase your own new or used heavy truck or commercial trailer.

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