Safety Tips Archives - Fleet Management Backend Site

6 Reasons Truck Driving Is A Dangerous Job [Incl. Safety Tips]

Posted on August 8, 2019 by fmsupadminnxtjs

The high rate of on-job fatality in trucking industry is what makes truck driving a dangerous job. While job risks are universal, certain sectors have a higher degree of vulnerability compared to other jobs.

Truck driving is one of such kind which can pose fatal threats. In contrast, a large number of population still enjoy being a truck driver.

Let’s see why truck driving is touted as a dangerous job.

1. Weather Conditions

Weather-Conditions-Truck-Driving-Dangerous-job

Poor or extreme weather conditions are challenging for truck drivers. These not only lead to accidents but also impact the performance of vehicles.

Scorching sunny days, foggy mornings, freezing temperatures and rainy weather are not favorable for drivers and trucks. Such bad weather makes drive-ways vulnerable and driving dangerous.

Unexpected weather patterns always trouble drivers.

Rain: With heavy rain, road visibility reduces significantly. In addition to that, rain water forms a layer of water between tires of the vehicle and the road, resulting in hydroplaning.

Moreover, slippery roads and hidden potholes make driving risky during rain.

Snow: During winter seasons, roads become more troublesome for truck drivers and trucks. Truck tires do not grip ice-covered roads well enough. It takes a lot of skill from drivers to combat such situations.

Wind: Trucks can wade off normal challenges posed by wind, but heavy wind would be hazardous. The massive structure of trailers cannot withstand whirlwinds and causes such vehicles to roll over.

Fog: Drivers cannot see through the road on foggy days. It hinders long-range visibility, increasing chances of bumping into other vehicles and at times even causing vehicles to drive off the road resulting in tragic accidents. In foggy days, it is better to avoid driving altogether.

Safety measures:

Park the truck somewhere safe and wait for a favorable climate
Practice defensive driving on poor weather condition
Limit the speed and use headlights for better visibility
Never use jack brake and keep ample distance between vehicles
Ensure proper tire pressure and fully functional wiring systems

2. Crowded Seasons

Local events such as carnivals, galas, protests, and rallies always happen by the roadways. People occupy roads to celebrate their regional or national events. Long hauling drivers may not aware about these local events.

Therefore, drivers have to pay attention to the social and political events over the route. During such occasions, people don’t care about vehicles on the road and can act vandalous.

They abruptly cross the road, are careless of the rules and won’t give enough attention to running vehicles. All these factors stand as possible challenges for truck drivers.

Safety measures:

Try to stay updated about news related to the route, including events
Figure out the crowd-free and fastest route to the destination
Slow down or pull off and wait while passing through a lively road
Use sound-horn frequently and proper indications while passing

3. Driver Fatigue

The urge to finish the trips as fast as possible forces truck drivers to skip healthy life practices. They may bypass timely food, daily schedules and sleep. Continuous sleepless drives can exhaust even the fittest drivers and cause adverse results.

Most fatal accidents are caused due to driver fatigue. Improper duty schedules and practices are the major cause for making this job risky.

Safety measures:

Take appropriate food, breaks and rest on time
Prepare and follow a healthy daily schedule
Share the duty with a colleague in a timely manner
Never drive under the influence of alcohol

4. Break Down

The life-period of machine parts in vehicles is unpredictable. Heavy machine parts undergo wear and tear over time, and cease functioning.

Especially, parts such as bearing, tubes, nozzles, pipes and moving components cease to perform or burst out. This results in drivers losing control of their vehicles, causing loss of time, life and property.

Safety measures:

Carry out thorough, periodical inspection and demand-based vehicle service
Carry a toolset for immediate repair requirements
Ensure engine oil, coolant and lubrication are enough
Check tire pressure and additional tire backup

5. Poor Training

Heavy vehicle driving requires good amount of training. Despite the theoretical classes provided for heavy-duty drivers, they require different set of practices. Drivers have to be trained to handle vehicles on different terrains and diverse climatic conditions.

Mostly, poor vehicle controlling capacity and lack of expert knowledge in taking quick decisions make them victims. Drivers with less experience in long hauling trips have to assist such trips before being assigned for the long trip.

The lack of drivers in trucking industry is also a reason for skipping measuring the experience level of drivers.

Safety measures:

Get proper heavy vehicle driving training
Train until you can handle trucks in all terrains.
Practice truck driving over all-weather condition.
Gain adequate vehicle engineering knowledge

6. Distracted Driving

Almost every road accident is caused by the lack of attention while driving. Multi-tasking during driving is the root source of this menace. Drivers indulging in smartphones usage, drinking & eating, reading, watching video, talking, and cleaning while driving are all factors which contribute to distracted driving.

Unfortunately, most of the case ends up in fatal injuries and hefty loss. Other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are the common victims.

Safety measures:

Never engage in any activities which can distract your attention
Take extra caution while driving through crowded roads.
Pull off the truck while doing any other activity.

Though a lot of perils are hiding in truck driving job, we can mitigate it significantly. Following the safety measures and exercising the appropriate driving practice can help making truck driving a safe job.

Desert Driving – Complete Guide

Posted on May 17, 2019 by fmsupadminnxtjs

Whereas driving in the desert is as crazy as a thrilling off-road trip. It takes a lot of tricks and effort for enjoying the ride. Of all the kinds of off-road vibes, desert driving has a pretty amazingly beautiful experience.

The sand dunes, the outcrops and the steep sandy cliffs fill us with the thrill of adventure.

In fact, in Dubai, desert refers to an expanse of sand dunes designed for free drive and adventure sports. Over there, desert driving is not an exhausting hauling beneath the scorching sun.

However, desert driving really demands uncommon skills in driving and required a few additional precautions.

To sheer across the sand dunes and outcrops few more unusual quirks are essential. Mostly in tackling the fine sand sea and keeping the momentum with lower gears ratios.

Also, the vehicle that carries the travelers has to be equipped well to surf over the sandy high and low terrains.

Let’s know more,

Suitable Vehicles for Desert Driving:

Desert driving is not a cup for all runabouts. It takes certain exceptional caliber to surf over the fine scorching sand. Normally, nothing less than a 4WD is essential for a desert trip. However, souped-up two-wheel-drive vehicles can be also used over the sandy terrains.

Vehicles with high and low range gear ratios will help to tackle the puzzling terrains to upkeep the momentum and movement. Further, vehicles equipped with diff-locks, automatic gear and tire inflation system will lessen our effort in desert driving.

Let’s see few recommended vehicles for desert driving.

Toyota land Cruiser
Volvo Cross Country XC70
Jeep wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
Subaru Forester
Mercedes G-class
Ford Raptor
Land Rover Defender
Suzuki Samurai

Essential Equipment’s for desert driving:

Unsolicited would be most of the incidents in a desert adventure ride. Yeah, there is no adventure in keeping everything under control. But, we have to equip enough to surpass any stumbling moments across our trip.

Especially, in the desert, we cannot expect everything will happen in favorable for us. Many of our staple rescue techniques may not necessarily work as usual. More of the times, we have to rely on specific tools and precautions to skips those troubles.

Hence, we required to carry few tools and safety measure for a hassle-free desert ride.

Such as:

A well serviced 4WD vehicle with all off-roading add-ons.
Heavy duty towing ropes and rescue tools (shovels, traction board, jack, tool kitand winch).
Spare air checked tire and foot pump.
GPS, Mobile Phone, portable charger and printed map.
First aid kit, food and water
Torch, cap and shades.

Preferred Driving Practice

Driving in desert is no monkey business. It takes serious practice and skills. Bashing over the dunes requires specific driving practices.

There are certain speed ratios and terrain rules to abide by for sheering across the desert. A slight ignorance may drown our wagons into the sand sea.

From the selection of a route to the prediction of weather matters in desert riding itinerates. A handful of serious training even for skilled on-road drivers is most recommendable for a safe and secure desert-ride.

Since the terrain and the environment is quite new for everyone, we have to exercise the recommended mode of conduct while driving on the desert.

Select the suitable route chart.
Ensure all relevant documents including safari guide permits and Insurance.
Maintain enough speed and avoid hasty breaking.
Try to balance the vehicle with its weight.
Plan before stopping; prefer gentle downhill to take a break.
Avoid breaking at the messy surfaces and while moving up.
Keep distance between other wagons and be in their visibility.
Adjust the tire pressure appropriately for the route condition.
Have an eye over the rocks and desert habitats.

Time and Location

The itch for thrill while driving across desert is amazing. However, it all depends upon the degree of safety that we can assure on the journey.

Though a crazy desert trip cannot be list under a safe journey, we can ensure a safe journey by some cautious practices. Finding a healthy seating position to picking a challenging but secure route matters in a desert drive.

Hence while selecting the location and time, there have to give room for few precautious decisions.

Keep the pace under control; decide the speed seeing the terrain.
Sticking to the prefixed route avoids additional risk.
Be seated comfortably and buckle yourself.
Higher the seats for a better path visibility.
While driving keep your thumps outside.
Going as a group is recommended.
Survey your visible location always.
Avoid night driving.

Conclusion

Desert driving is a wholesome experience. The expedition brings new vibes and cheers our heart. However, it takes some factors to consider and matters to follow. Keeping all of it doubles our journey and ensures our safety either.

Have a happy desert drive!

5 Essential Safety Tips For Fleet Drivers

Posted on May 2, 2019 by fmsupadminnxtjs

Every dutiful driver is an asset for enterprises and amazingly they can cut down the mind-numbing tasks of fleet managers to half. Hence, driver Safety is a key factor to look over in fleet operation. Moreover, for nothing can offset a life, every fleet driver life is a matter for care.

Every day the number of road accidents is growing even worse. Despite the stringent traffic policies and technologies, the rate of human errors in causing accidents is also growing in number day after day.

Technologies in the fleet industry today are trying restlessly to mitigate road accidents. Further, to ensure no life ends on the roads they are working to make safe- autonomous vehicles as well. despite all these efforts, the number of fatal accidents is not reducing on a larger scale.

However, there are few follow-worth tips that help for a secure drive.

Let look at some of the good practices for a safe drive.

1. Preventive Maintenance

Unexpected breakdowns are always a haunting pain for fleet drivers. In addition, it may cause severe life-threatening incidents on the trips. But, most of it can be prevented by periodic inspection and services. Keeping an eye on the tires, engine lubricants, transmission, brakes, and lights would enable the fleet to keep rolling uninterruptedly.

Timely service is another must-follow process in fleet operation to prevent unnecessary maintenance. Replacing the rubbed off and burned out parts at the right time will allow a seamless machine operation. Thereby we can maintain a safe journey.

2. Defensive Driving

Driving on the busy roads are more like a matter of luck today. Though we take much caution on every tweak and turn, the proneness for a hit is high. So acquiring some defensive driving skills will enable us to avoid the chances of unintentional collisions. also, these skills help to skip mischevious drivers across the trip.

Hazardous drivers are growing in number on the roads and multitasking while driving rising the accident rate as well.

So some quick quirks such as keeping focus, maintaining a proper distance, adhering to the lane discipline and never underestimating other drivers help us to maintain a defensive driving practice.

3. Prepare for the Weather

Weather is an open-ended companion for fleet drivers. Sometimes it soothes the drivers and other times its rage is unbearable. However, drivers have to be prepared to encounter any sort of weather condition across their way.

In addition, maintaining the tire condition, brake, and transmission alignments, lights and signals enable the fleets to confront the odd weather conditions quite effectively.

Taking proper decisions according to the poor driving conditions such as speed limit, lane disciplines and gaps between vehicles will help to keep the vehicle from unintended collisions. Further, in foggy times, appropriate light signals can help us out for a safe drive.

4. Adhere to Lane Discipline

Sticking close with the lane discipline can save our fleet as well as our time, indeed. However, it works only if all of the drivers would think so…

Distractive driving is the major cause that always disorders the lane discipline. Also, the rush to reach the destination may force the drivers to breach the rules often. So, try to avoid the last minute rush and distractive driving trends while behind the wheels.

Nevertheless, obeying the signals, following the rules and helping other vehicles to toe the line enables every vehicle to have a tense-free drive across the roads.

5. Avoid Fatigue Driving

Lack of rest is one of the scary challenges that put the drivers’ life at risk while driving. The mundane long- hauling trips tire out the body of drivers and it weighs down their energy level as well. So, taking proper rest is important to prevent fatigue driving.

Further, the risks coupling with sleepless work schedule is not only the proneness to accidents but also serious health problems such as hypertension, stress, risk of heart diseases and stroke, aches, obesity, etc.

Taking proper sleep and food at the right time and at the right amount is the solution for avoiding fatigue driving. Unfortunately, the work-life balance of fleet drivers cannot be fixed as other jobs for it takes a lot of factors to coincide.

Hence, take appropriate breaks from continues work hours and try to work on a shift based system to avoid unfavorable incidents across the trips.

Conclusion

Since safety is the main concern in fleet operation, we have to adhere to several factors across the roads. By keeping all the possible road rules allow us to create a safe traffic environment not only for us but also for others.

Thus, getting technology supports that can give predictive insights such as Fleet management software could help largely to avoid the possible odd causes. Therefore, always try to obey the rules of roads and the recommended measures to ensure a safe and secure journey.