As a trucker, you need to be aware of the dangers that surround you. It is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Traffic can move fast in both directions, and it is crucial to keep your eyes peeled for cars or pedestrians who may cross into your lane without looking. Truckers often have their traffic pattern due to size, so it's crucial to stay alert and know when it's time for an exit or turnoff. Here are some expert driving safety tips for truckers:

1. Drive Defensively

Defensive driving is vital for all drivers, but truckers need to know how to drive defensively.

To be a defensive driver, you should always stay on the lookout for problems and plan what actions you will take if they arise. You can do this by practicing your emergency maneuvers so that when something happens, you can act quickly.

Truckers must learn more about hazardous road conditions before driving their vehicle through them like snow, ice, high winds, fog, and heavy rainstorms. By knowing what these types of hazards are and what the steps to avoid them are, you will act quickly if they occur.

Keep in mind that driving defensively is not about being overly cautious or paranoid; it's about staying aware of your surroundings so that should an emergency arise, you can react appropriately.

2. Keep your Distance from other Vehicles

Trucks have a more prominent blind spot and can't see far ahead. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles in case of an emergency brake or lane change. Getting familiar with an interactive blind spot guide can help you be a more careful driver. With the more prominent blind spot, trucks should use their turn signals to communicate with other drivers.

3. Avoid Distractions

Distractions on the road are common causes of accidents. This is especially true for truckers who need to pay close attention to the road at all times, and distractions such as eating or talking on a phone can lead to an accident.

To avoid becoming distracted while driving, you should stay focused on the task at hand: ensuring that your cargo arrives safely without any issues.

4. Stay in your lane

When making lane changes, keep in mind that other drivers may not be expecting a sudden move to the right or left side of the road.

When changing lanes:

• Signal before moving into an adjacent lane

• Scan for oncoming traffic to ensure no vehicles are approaching from either direction

• Recheck your rearview mirror (or turn around) after completing your maneuver

• Be sure to keep in your lane at all times

When merging into a busy traffic area:

Keep up with the speed of those around you, staying within one car length from each vehicle ahead. This allows you enough space if someone slows down or brakes suddenly and will let other drivers see your signals more efficiently.

If possible, use an exit ramp before entering heavy congestion so that once on surface streets, it will be easier for other vehicles to spot you when moving back into the proper lanes after going off route.

5. Use Your Turn Signals 

Signals are the primary way other drivers know what you’re doing. Make sure to use your signal when turning or to change lanes, so others can anticipate and react accordingly.

If you are merging on the road, and there is no room for another car to join safely with yours, let them go first. This can help avoid tailgating or getting too close to one another.

6. Pull Over to Rest and Refresh

It's a problem with most drivers on the road today. That is, being tired and on a tight schedule. You've been driving for hours without getting any food or coffee breaks in-between because you're trying to get home as early as possible.

The best thing that truck drivers can do while they are behind the wheel of their big rig is pull over when they need to rest or get some food so that they don't become exhausted from lack of sleep and food.

Getting rest and food will help you keep your energy levels up and stay alert, which means fewer chances of crashing.

In conclusion, the best way to reduce accidents and fatalities on the road is by following these expert driving safety tips. Additionally, don't forget to buckle up, take a break if you need one, and stay in your lane. If you follow these driving safety tips, truckers will be safer on the road—and so will everyone else!