Driving a truck doesn’t sound that difficult on the surface, but it can be very dangerous. Spending so much time behind the wheel automatically increases your chances of getting into an accident, it increases your chances of having to hire a truck accident lawyer, and it means you’ll be at home recovering instead of making money on the road.

Getting the right training is the first step to making sure you’re safe when driving your truck, but there are many other dangers you should be on the lookout for.

Fatigued Driving

One of the most common problems truck drivers face is fatigue. Long hours on the road away from your comfortable bed at home combined with tight deadlines creates a perfect storm of sleep deprivation. Unfortunately, most truckers push through the fatigue and keep driving.

If you’re feeling tired, you’re putting yourself and others on the road in danger. It’s important to get a full 8 hours of sleep in every 24-hour period, whether you choose to sleep at night or during the day.

A 20-minute nap can be very helpful too. A quick snooze can increase your energy levels and make it easier for you to concentrate on the road.

If pulling over isn’t an option, try cracking the window or turning up the music until you make it to the next truck stop.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a real problem for everyone who drives a vehicle. Texting is the biggest culprit. Everyone seems to do it, and yet, it increases your chance of getting into an accident by nearly 25 percent.

No matter how tempting, you shouldn’t use your phone while you’re driving. Put it on silent and out of reach so you aren’t tempted to text someone back while you’re driving. Save any texts or phone calls for when you pull over.

Texting isn’t the only thing that can distract you behind the wheel! A few other distractions include:

• Reaching for an object on the floor or in the other seat.
• Eating while driving.
• Adjusting the controls in the cabin.

The key is to focus on the road. If you’re tempted to do something that will take your attention away, you shouldn’t do it.

Speeding

Speeding is the norm among cars on the interstate. Truckers shouldn’t speed, even if you’re trying to meet a tight deadline. Not only is it dangerous, but it can also affect your CDL license.

Speeding means going over the posted speed limit, but it can mean other things beyond the number on the roadside sign. Truckers should go slower during inclement weather, which includes rain, snow, and fog.

Road conditions should affect a trucker’s speed too. Hilly roads, curving roads, and narrow roads require a trucker to go slower. Don’t be tempted to plow through at your current speed, even if it means you have to drive below the speed limit.

Aggressive Driving

Speeding isn’t the only form of aggressive driving. There are other ways you can drive aggressively, and it’s easy to do when tempers run high hour after hour on the road.

Aggressive habits to break include:

• Tailgating
• Cutting in front of other drivers
• Running red lights
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Changing lanes without signaling

Anything that is done in anger on the road is not a good idea. If you regularly experience road rage, you should learn a few relaxation techniques, like taking deep breaths or use calming essential oils in the cabin.

Boredom

There are a lot of great things about being a truck driver. There’s nothing like driving across the country, and it can be peaceful to do it by yourself, but not all roads are the same. Some roads in the United States drag on for mile after mile with nothing to capture your interest. Boredom is a common problem experienced by truckers.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can try when dealing with boredom on the road. Music is a good place to start, but if you notice yourself not paying attention to the tunes on the radio, try listening to an audiobook instead. CB chatter can pass the time, as can playing road games, like the alphabet game.

Loneliness

Driving a truck can be peaceful, but it can also be lonely. Loneliness can actually be dangerous to your health and wellbeing, so it’s important to find a way to feel connected when you’re on the road.

A few ideas for staying connected include:

• Plan time into your trip to call or text friends and family members back home.
• Consider bringing a pet on the road.
• Consider bringing a spouse or a friend on a haul.
• Participate in the trucking community through forums, Facebook groups, and chat rooms.

When you do stop the truck, a little chit chat can go a long way towards making you feel more connected. A short conversation with the person behind the gas station counter or another trucker can give you a boost of energy and make you feel a little less lonely.

Overconfidence

It’s important to have confidence behind the wheel, but make sure it isn’t false confidence. No matter how many hours you’ve spent behind the wheel, no one is immune to fatigue, boredom, and the other things on this list, but many drivers think they are, and they make mistakes on the road because of it.

You always have to remember the inherent danger in driving a huge truck at fast speeds. It deserves your complete attention. You may have never been in an accident, but it takes just one mistake, and you could find yourself in a deadly crash.

You may not have to deal with office politics or managing multiple projects at the same time like your office counterparts, but that doesn’t mean trucking doesn’t come with plenty of challenges of its own! Follow the tips on this list and you can conquer any roadside challenge that comes your way.