If you drive trucks for a living you’ll know that it’s of paramount importance to stay safe while you’re on the road. As the driver, you are responsible for the vehicle’s safety and being safe will protect you and the goods you are carrying. The better you drive, the fewer accidents you are likely to have, which will help keep your insurance premiums low.
However, it’s worth reminding yourself about a few of the basic safety rules, as years on the road can breed complacency.
Regular maintenance
It’s really important to keep your vehicle in good condition – so you’re less likely to experience problems when out on the road. Since you did your training, how much has truck technology changed? For example, you may have trained with a diesel HGV and now be driving a Honda hybrid. Different engines require different kinds of maintenance, so keep up to date on how to look after the one you’re driving.
Buckle up
Although it’s as automatic a gesture as turning the key in the ignition, some drivers do forget to fasten their seatbelts. Many injuries and deaths on the road could be avoided simply through the proper use of seatbelts.
Switch off
No, don’t start daydreaming – keep your eyes and thoughts on the road. Do switch off mobile phones so you’re not tempted to text, make or answer a call. Avoid any distractions while driving. If you have to use your phone while driving, make sure it’s a hands-free one and keep the conversation to a minimum.
Watch out
Make full use of your mirrors to make sure you don’t miss anything behind or to either side of you as you’re going along. You could also install a rear view camera that allows you to see what’s going on behind your truck. These are relatively cheap and are easy to use.
Keep your distance
Always remember that trucks take longer to stop than cars. Allow plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front to make sure you have time to stop if you need to.
Remembering to use these basic safety rules will help make you a better driver. You can also ensure that you’re a more environmentally sound driver by driving at a steady pace, without any aggressive acceleration or sudden braking. In the same way as with low emission vehicles such as Honda cars, if you drive your truck at a steady pace, your engine will produce fewer harmful emissions.
Tips for safer trucking
Insurance for new transport businesses
If you’re just starting out in the transport business – or thinking about doing so – you really need to have a good long think about your insurance needs and options.
First – do your research. Do as much research into your insurance as you would in considering new car offers, or choice of truck/s.
There simply is no ‘one size fits all’ insurance approach. In practice, everyone’s insurance needs are different.
A good insurer will speak to you in detail about your business needs and potential liabilities. Any insurer who doesn’t do so should be treated with a little healthy cynicism.
Truck insurance is a more complicated and specialised field than car insurance. Before making its recommendations, the insurance company needs to understand your business to then ascertain your specific needs.
The cover you’ll need depends on many different factors including your own circumstances, the type of transport work you do or are planning to do, the type(s) of vehicle(s) you operate, the nature of the goods you’ll be carrying and whether you are a sole trader or employ other drivers.
As an overall guide you are likely to need basic vehicle insurance which includes trailer cover if necessary, goods in transit insurance, public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance (if you employ anyone), and legal expenses cover.
You may also be well advised to think about accident and sickness cover, vehicle breakdown cover, specialist insurance for hybrid vehicles, insurance for loss of use and continental medical expenses cover if you need to drive overseas.
As you can see, it’s potentially a complex business and it’s often best to put all the insurance under one roof with a truck and lorry insurance specialist who fully understands your unique needs. No two sets of insurance requirements for transport companies are the same.