Sideswipe Safety and Lane Control Vigilance for Truckers
First things first, what exactly is a sideswipe? It's when two vehicles scrape alongside each other, often because one (or both) drift out of their lanes. Like any other unintentional collision, these accidents can really spoil a good day. Typical causes include someone lingering in your blind spot, rapid lane changes, distracted driving, narrow roads, a blowout, or swerving to avoid a sideswipe or rear-end collision.
Hauling hazmat is a big responsibility, and safety has to always be our top priority. Keeping your rig in its lane is basic Trucking 101, but it's one of the foundational skills that some folks can get complacent about.
Lane Control Vigilance: Why It Matters
Stay vigilant by continuously scanning your surroundings. When checking mirrors, remember to look and lean, use your signals, check again, and use your spot mirrors. Keep your focus sharp. But let's be real – sometimes doing everything exactly the way you are supposed to isn’t enough to prevent an accident. Other people out there sometimes do unpredictable things.
Preventing Sideswipes
- Proper Mirror Adjustment: Make sure your mirrors are clean and properly adjusted.
- Maintain a Rigorous Visual Scan: Keep your eyes moving. Look 12-15 seconds ahead and scan through your mirrors every 8-10 seconds or so.
- Be Aware of Your Bubble: Keep track of the cars around you at all times.
Making Safe Lane Changes
- Signal well ahead of time. Make sure to cancel your signal after lane changes.
- Double-check your mirrors and blind spots.
- Move smoothly and gradually into the new lane.
- When traffic or weather is bad, check twice before switching lanes.
- Maintaining a safe following distance. More space allows more time to react.
Avoiding Distractions
Phones, food, and fiddling with the radio – they're all distractions. If you need to take a call or grab a snack, pull over safely first.
Remember, it's not just about you. Watch out for other drivers who might be distracted. Keep an eye on their behavior and be ready to react.
Staying safe isn't just about following the rules – it's about being proactive and vigilant. Keep those mirrors checked, manage your distractions, and stay aware of the other drivers who might not be as focused as you are. Your safety, and the safety of others, depends on it.
