CMV Driver Safety Tips – The Importance of Truck Inspections
Being a commercial motor vehicle driver requires spending hours on the road. Traveling the highways, full of other drivers, CMV drivers need to be fully aware of their surroundings and follow all safety precautions. You can never predict when an accident might occur, but you can take steps to help decrease your chances of having an accident.
One of these steps is the thorough inspection of your truck. This should be performed before, during, and after your trip. It is a requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is for both your safety and the safety of other motorists on the road.
Inspections help ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and that you will not encounter any unforeseen mechanical or vehicular malfunctions during your trip. Take a look at the following driving tips for performing truck inspections:
#1 – Perform a Pre-Trip Inspection
Before you start any trip, you should perform a pre-trip inspection. Examine your entire vehicle, including the cargo. Check the tires, brakes, and other components. You may need to sign a vehicle inspection form, looking over the notes left by the previous driver, and verifying the condition of the vehicle.
#2 – Ensure Your Cargo is Secure
Always check tiedowns, anchor points, and other securements. Any cargo that you are transporting, needs to properly secured, to prevent items from shifting or falling from your vehicle.
#3 – Examine the Exterior of the Truck
As you perform your routine inspections, walk around the perimeter of the truck. Examine all of the major vehicle hoses. Be on the lookout for any puddles or signs of dripping fluid. Check the outer mirrors and windshield, ensuring they are clean and undamaged.
#4 – Examine the Interior of the Truck
After inspecting the exterior of your truck, move to the cab. Double check that all of your standard emergency equipment is stored inside the vehicle, including extra electrical fuses and a fire extinguisher.
#5 – Inspect Your Vehicle During Weigh-Ins
When you stop at a weigh-in, you should also take a moment to inspect your vehicle. Depending on the region you operate in, you may even be required to perform an inspection during stops and weigh-ins. This is a good opportunity to double check your cargo, as you will likely have been on the road for hours at this point.
#6 – Perform a Post-Trip Inspection
Once you reach your final destination, you need to perform another inspection. You might also have to fill out a vehicle inspection form, making notes of any damages or other information that may be beneficial to the next driver. When you sign your name to this form, you are declaring that the vehicle was in the condition stated on the form when you completed your trip.
Remember these simple tips, as you prepare for your next trip. Whether you have recently received your CDL (commercial driver’s license) or you have been on the road for years, it helps to go back and look over tips like these to refresh your memory and ensure you continue to properly follow regulations.
If you have any questions about driving safety tips, vehicle inspections, or other CMV related inquiries, contact Office Tenders today.
