In the trucking industry, where precision and vigilance are critical, safety is also the backbone of successful operations. Classic Carriers is celebrating 40 years on the road and recently earned a workplace safety award, underscoring our long-standing commitment to protecting our drivers and the public.
Navigating Your Blind Spots
One of the most common challenges on the road, particularly for truck drivers, is the issue of blind spots. These are areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through their mirrors. Blind spots can hide other motor vehicles from the truck driver's view, and identifying where your blind spots are on your truck is important not only to protect yourself but also to protect the public.
At Classic Carriers, we ensure our drivers are trained to adjust their mirrors properly and check their blind spots frequently, especially when changing lanes or turning. While blind spot size can vary depending on the truck’s make and model, there are four primary blind spot zones that all drivers should be aware of:
- Directly in front of the truck: up to 20 feet ahead
- Directly behind the trailer: up to 30 feet behind the trailer
- On the driver’s side: typically one full lane
- On the passenger side: up to two full lanes
By staying aware of your blind spots and practicing consistent mirror checks, drivers can significantly reduce their risk of being involved in a traffic accident.
Sharing The Road: General Safety Tips For Everyone
Whether you’re behind the wheel of a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, road safety is a shared responsibility for everyone on the road. At Classic Carriers, we believe that mutual respect and awareness between truck drivers and other passenger vehicles goes a long way in preventing accidents and saving lives. It’s important to know some simple yet powerful tips for safer driving, especially when interacting with larger trucks.
- Respect Each Other on the Road: Trucks and passenger vehicles each have very different capabilities and limitations. Give trucks the space they need, and remember that their size and weight may mean that they can’t turn or maneuver as quickly as a smaller passenger vehicle.
- Pass, Don’t Hang Out: If you need to pass a truck, do so as safely and quickly as possible. Lingering beside a truck can put you in a dangerous blind spot, especially on the passenger side of a truck, where visibility may be the lowest.
- Patience is a Virtue: Trucks with heavier loads may take longer to accelerate, brake, or change lanes. Instead of rushing to beat a truck to the next exit lane, remind yourself that patience can help increase your safety and the truck drivers. A few extra seconds of patience could prevent a serious accident.
- Give the Right of Way: For truck drivers, it is important to remember that you are often the biggest vehicle on the road. Giving the right of way when possible can help de-escalate tense driving situations and prevent collisions.
Classic Carriers Honored for Excellence in Workplace Safety
Classic Carriers is proud to be a recipient of the Workplace Safety Award from Great West Casualty Company in 2024, an honor that reflects the hard work, dedication, and daily focus on safety that defines our company.
This award isn't just something to show off; it's a reflection of what we work towards every day: making sure our drivers get home safe and that every mile on the road is as secure as it can be. At Classic, safety isn’t just a policy; it’s part of who we are.
Whether it’s staying alert to blind spots, practicing patience in traffic, or simply remembering to respect others on the road, it’s the small decisions that build our strong record of safe driving. Ready to be a part of a company that puts your safety first and values every mile on the road? Join our team at Classic Carriers!