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9 Common Mistakes Truck Drivers Must Avoid

9 Common Mistakes Truck Drivers Must Avoid

Truck drivers typically face several ordeals, from long shift hours to extended periods away from one’s home and loved ones. According to statistical data, truck accidents account for 6.5% of all crashes in the country. Most of these accidents are triggered by rookie mistakes on the road, which culminate in injuries and fatalities. Understanding the common mistakes truck drivers make can help increase overall road safety. This article lists some common rookie mistakes:

Driving in a state of sleep deprivation
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 13% of all truck accidents involving the death of the truck driver were caused due to the driver being sleep deprived. Moreover, in another study, 19% of drivers reported falling asleep at the steering wheel at least once during the month. Such staggering statistical figures suggest that truck drivers grappling with sleep deprivation is a significant issue. It is important to ensure that truck drivers are well-rested and have slept for at least seven hours before they begin their journeys. Moreover, they must not undertake a continuous journey of over 14 hours at a stretch.

Rash driving
The speed limit for heavy vehicles, including large trucks, is 70 mph during the day and 65 mph at night. However, many truck drivers ignore these speed-limit specifications and end up driving rashly, causing accidents. As per 2020 reports by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “speeding of any kind” was the most common factor, leading to fatal crashes of large trucks. Rookie drivers must avoid speeding at any cost, being particularly cautious when driving downhill. Following speed-limit regulations throughout the journey is better, as reducing the speed is challenging once the vehicle gains momentum. Drivers should be advised about the importance of speed regulations before being allowed to drive independently.

Not considering the trailer
Driving a heavy vehicle involves being conscious of the vehicle’s size at all times. Sometimes, truck drivers may make wrong judgments while taking turns, reversing, etc., because they fail to consider the length of the truck’s trailer. This mistake is particularly common among amateur truck drivers, who are not used to driving heavy vehicles. Truck drivers must be trained adequately to maneuver trucks on different terrains. People might honk at you as you cross an intersection, but that won’t make them as angry as if a trailer ran into their broadside.

Not loading the truck properly
Using improper truck-loading techniques can lead to side sweep accidents, rollovers, and jackknives. Certain simple strategies for safely loading and unloading cargo in trucks can prevent fatal road accidents. For example, some effective truck-loading techniques include loading trucks from both sides, loading them from one side with forklift tine extensions, and loading from one side without tine extensions. Truck drivers should be trained to carry out these techniques effectively and be closely supervised on the job.

Using mobile phones while driving
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports suggest that 13% of all accidents caused by distracted driving involve the driver’s use of mobile phones for calling or texting. Using phones for calling, texting, etc., while driving diverts one’s attention considerably, leading to fatalities and serious injuries. For truck drivers, prolonged periods of being away from home can increase their mobile-phone usage.

Slow reaction time
Often, truck drivers lack the vigilance to respond spontaneously to unexpected events on the road. Even a moment’s delay in braking or turning the steering wheel can lead to serious road accidents, even causing death. Slow reaction times could be due to several reasons, such as elevated stress levels, sleep deprivation, poor mental health, and preoccupation with other tasks while driving. Truck drivers should be explained the importance of road safety and alertness while driving. A friendly approach toward understanding their issues and helping them work more productively can also help avoid such accidents.

Misjudgments while changing lanes
Lane changing can be a dicey task, particularly for amateur drivers. Misjudgments while changing lanes, particularly on the part of heavy-vehicle drivers, can lead to freak accidents. Not signaling before changing lanes is a major driving mistake. Alerting the drivers following the vehicle beforehand about the lane change provides them sufficient time to slow down their vehicles. Moreover, drivers are often indecisive about changing lanes, which leads to confusion among other drivers. Such situations of panic often culminate in fatalities. Thus, truck drivers must be advised on essential lane-changing practices.

Ignoring or not comprehending road signs
Following road signs is a crucial aspect of safe driving, as these visual guides help drivers understand any upcoming inconveniences or situations and exercise caution accordingly. Consequently, not following these road signs can lead to a lack of preparedness among truck drivers, allowing them less time to make decisions. Such drivers undertake high risks of road accidents and death. Truck drivers must browse road signs carefully, understanding the motive and significance of each sign and following them on the job.

Neglecting one’s health and well-being
Truck drivers shoulder the massive responsibility of maneuvering through rough terrains, driving in unpleasant weather conditions, and working for excruciatingly long hours. As a result, many truck drivers tend to overlook their health and well-being. Such negligence can affect their personal and professional lives and increase their susceptibility to accidents. Therefore, drivers must follow certain basic health measures, such as staying hydrated, ensuring adequate sleep, eating on time, and taking breaks between journeys.

Another significant responsibility for truckers is to ensure the optimal use and refilling of fuel. The best trucking fuel cards can be incredibly time-saving, as truckers just need to swipe the card while refilling fuel.

Certain safety measures can ensure fewer road accidents and immediate action during emergencies. For example, vehicle locators may be installed for pick-up trucks purchased from reputed dealers, such as the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. These vehicle locators allow for the automatic remote tracking of a vehicle, ensuring instant assistance to drivers in emergencies.

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Have you ever woken up feeling tired and lethargic despite sleeping for seven to eight hours at night? It could be due to poor sleep quality. Disturbed sleep influences the rest of your day: how you think, your performance at work, and other tasks. The causes of poor sleep are many, including a faulty mattress, distractions in your room, or a heavy dinner. Avoiding the following mistakes before bed can help you sleep better: Staring at a screen Using gadgets close to bedtime is probably the most common mistake in the digital age. The blue light emitted from screens affects the production of a specific hormone responsible for inducing sleep and regulating the circadian rhythm. Apart from the blue light emission, the television or mobile phone sound can be a distraction that keeps you awake. High noise levels create lots of mental stimulation and disturbance, preventing the brain from shutting down. Hence, it is advisable to avoid using phones, televisions, and laptops for at least an hour before bed. Exercising Exercise is among the best solutions for good health, but you must do it at the right time. Physical activity late in the evening or at night hampers sleep patterns by increasing stress and raising body temperature.
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Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy. Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal.
3 foods to avoid for better lung health

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Strengthening the lungs can help one avoid respiratory issues and diseases. Even when diagnosed with a lung-related illness, making significant changes to the lifestyle and food regimen can help people manage the symptoms and restore lung function. However, it is equally important to avoid the food items that damage these organs and cause issues like inflammation, sneezing, and wheezing. Here are a few foods to avoid to improve lung health: Salty food Foods with excessive salt should be avoided as their long-term consumption can have severe consequences on the overall health. Excess sodium in such food items can enlarge the muscles of the heart, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and lead to a wide range of kidney-related issues like stones. Such foods can also have a negative effect on the health of the lungs and have been linked to an increased risk of bronchitis. Additionally, too much salt in meals can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma. This is because sodium can cause fluid retention, leading to shortness of breath in those with lung diseases. To reduce its intake, one should start by limiting salt in their meals and instead add more herbs and spices as seasoning.
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Migraine headaches are a devitalizing experience. It completely saps the person of energy and prevents them from being productive during these episodes. There is usually a build-up to a migraine attack which is different for every individual. The phase before the actual migraine attack is known as the aura, and people may report seeing flashes of light or experiencing a tingling sensation. Below are some options for treating migraine headaches: Treatment options Nurtec Nurtec is a treatment option that helps relieve some symptoms of migraines. It reduces the severity of headaches and sensitivity to light. Nurtec is usually taken on alternate days to prevent migraines and other pain associated with the condition. Ubrelvy Ubrelvy, a fast pain-relief, is a treatment option that blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the body. CGRP is associated with migraine attacks, and suppressing it goes a long way in treating the condition. Excedrin This pain reliever does not just treat migraine headaches but also pain in other parts of the body. Excedrin provides fast pain relief to the patient. Qulipta Qulipta is a treatment option that helps prevent migraines over a more extended period. However, medical professionals do not recommend this treatment option to people suffering from kidney or liver problems.
4 easy tips to keep dogs free of ticks and fleas

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A pet’s fur can be the perfect breeding ground for fleas and ticks. These pests can annoy your pet throughout the day. Such parasites can also cause several health problems like Lyme disease and skin infections in dogs and humans. Fortunately, pet care experts have developed several ways to rid these critters of your furry friend. Here are four handy tips that help with managing flea and tick infestations in dogs: Initiate a treatment plan If your pet develops a pest infestation, the first and foremost thing to do is get them on a treatment plan. Here are a few prescriptions that can be helpful: Bravecto® (Fluralaner) This prescription for dogs comes in two types: a chewable option or a topical solution. Bravecto is approved by the FDA and works on dogs and puppies at least six months of age who weigh at least 4.4 pounds. If you pick the chewable option for your pet, it must be given with their food once a month. Alternately, the topical solution must be applied once every 12 weeks. You can also check out special offers on Bravecto’s website for attractive discounts on their products. Simparica Another recommended treatment for fleas and ticks is the FDA-approved chewable from Simparica.

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