The trucker’s ultimate guide to staying safe on the road

Post Date - May 5, 2023

A core principle at Freymiller is showing our CDL-A drivers that we truly care about their safety. We know that if we take care of you, you’ll be better equipped for a lifelong, rewarding career.

Pre- and post-trip inspections

It may feel tempting to skip the inspections before hitting the road or after you park for the night. However, they can save you some serious headaches down the road and more importantly, they’re your first line of defense against a maintenance issue developing into a safety issue. Pre- and post-trip inspections ensure that integral parts of your truck are in working order including the brakes, suspension system, fluid levels, coupling devices, tires, and your emergency kit.

Route planning

Remember the Five Ps: Poor Planning Produces Poor Performance. Taking the time to plan your route means that you’re sure to have plenty of breaks, will be able to make the most well-informed decisions, and helps your trip go as smoothly as possible.

As you start planning when you’ll take a break along your route, it’s important to space these times out efficiently. Giving yourself time to get out of the cab and stretch your legs for a bit or take a quick 20-minute power nap will help you stay alert while you’re in the driver’s seat, which is imperative for your safety. Route planning also gives you the chance to avoid roadways/bridges you don’t have the appropriate clearance to make it through. It can also aid you in avoiding areas of thick traffic where accidents are more common.

Defensive driving

As professional drivers, you have a lot of experience on the road and have gained some valuable, unique wisdom on driving practices. That isn’t the case for everyone on the road around you. Employing defensive driving can save you from the consequences of what you can’t control: other people’s driving.

• Be prepared: Drivers can sometimes make erratic decisions. Being aware of this and tuned into the road around you helps insulate you from danger.
• Check blind spots: Semis unfortunately have significant blind spots. Checking them often to the best of your ability should be a normal part of your driving routine.
• Watch your following distance: Keeping plenty of space between yourself and the car in front of you gives you more reaction time. This usually equates to at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length.
• Use turn signals: This helps drivers around you understand your movements and react accordingly.
• Slow down when necessary: Sometimes the best thing you can do is release the gas pedal, especially if you’re ever in doubt about what to do.
• Stay calm and collected: Rely on the experience you have behind the wheel and be sure of yourself to make the best decisions!

Joining the right carrier

Not every truck driving company puts safety first. At Freymiller, safety is a part of our everyday culture. Freymiller is proud to have been given several Great West Safety Awards in recognition of our company-wide commitment to safety. Our Director of Safety Bill Woolsey helps lead our team into a positive safety culture and promoting a safety-first culture. With this in mind, we’ve created a performance bonus that awards CDL-A drivers up to $0.06 cents per mile with a clean safety record to encourage our drivers toward safe driving practices!

Safety is incorporated into every part of the business model at Freymiller. Is your carrier doing enough to prioritize your well-being? If not, connect with us today and learn more about our amazing driving opportunities.