Did you know that there are more than 5 million car accidents each year in the United States of America? One of the best ways to prevent accidents and increase driver safety is to practice defense driving. Defensive driving will keep you and your precious cargo safe while on the road while also preserving the health of the drivers around you.
There are a number of reasons why it is important for flatbed drivers and truck drivers as a whole to practice defensive driving and take a defensive driving course. It will not only help those drivers to become better and more efficient at their job, but it will also keep their trucks in good condition and their cargos safe.
You might be wondering “what is defensive driving?” Well, you’re in the perfect place to learn more about defense driving and the benefits it provides. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Reduces Driving Risks
Even though driving on the roads and highways is an everyday activity for most people, many don’t realize the risks involved with doing so. There are millions of accidents that happen every year in the United States. One of the big benefits that practicing defensive driving will do is to reduce the risks of getting in an accident.
Defensive driving allows you to anticipate situations before they become dangerous and result in an accident. This is especially important as a truck driver since you’re driving a powerful and heavy vehicle. Defensive driving will help you learn to make quick and effective decisions that will lower the risks of an accident happening.
2. Defense Driving Makes You a Better Driver
Another big reason why flatbed drivers need to practice defensive driving is that it will make them better drivers as a whole. This is due to the fact that they understand all of the traffic signs they encounter and obey all of the rules involved with driving a vehicle.
A big way to prevent accidents is by knowing the rules of the road, like who has the right of way and when to merge or not merge into traffic. This will help you prevent costly and dangerous accidents while keeping your drivers, trucks, and cargoes safe.
3. Improved Anticipation
Accidents often happen because of a driver letting their guard down. Defensive driving will help your truck drivers stay focused whether driving during the day or at night. Your drivers will have no issues driving in a safe way because they’ll be ready for dangerous situations and be prepared if they encounter any.
This anticipation is a great way to prevent accidents on the roads when driving flatbed trucks. This is especially true if your driver is pulling a heavy cargo and will have a difficult time stopping in a short distance. It is the difference between a catastrophic accident and a normal driving situation.
4. More Protection
Having your truck drivers take a defensive driving course is a great way to give them more protection. Trucks are massive and powerful vehicles that can get difficult to control and cause dangerous situations. By knowing how to drive in a defensive manner, your drivers will be much more capable of protecting themselves from harmful situations.
It will help your truck drivers to be prepared when they encounter other drivers on the road that are speeding or experiencing road rage. This is especially common for truck drivers when compared to other types of drivers since trucks can’t drive as fast as the typical car on the road today.
5. No Fines or Charges
Another great perk of defensive driving for flatbed drivers is that they won’t be assessed with a fine or a charge if they do get in an accident. One of the main causes of automotive accidents is speeding drivers. The speed limit exists for a reason and it is rated so that you won’t have difficulty controlling your vehicle at that speed.
You’ll also decrease the number of speeding violations and traffic violations that your drivers receive when traveling from Point A to Point B with their cargo. This will save you money while keeping points off of your drivers’ licenses. This is a crucial part of keeping your drivers safe and on the road.
6. Less Maintenance
An obvious benefit that you’ll gain with your trucking fleet when you start practicing defensive driving is the savings on repairs and maintenance. Driving at high speeds and in dangerous ways puts wear and tear on your trucks. It also increases the odds that your drivers will get in an accident that requires costly repairs.
By practicing defensive driving, your drivers can take a big chunk out of what you’re paying for maintenance and repairs on a yearly basis. Good driving habits will keep your trucks in great condition. This means that expensive repairs are few and far between and your trucks are on the road delivering their cargoes.
7. Insurance Savings
Insurance is a big expense when it comes to owning a vehicle or a truck. The trucking industry isn’t immune to this. Trucks are on the road almost constantly so they’re more likely to get in an accident than your average daily driver. They’re also carrying valuable cargoes which means that they’re more expensive to insure.
By practicing defensive driving, your truck drivers can decrease the amount of money that you pay for truck insurance. The usual reason that insurance costs go up is due to dangerous driving habits and outcomes. Driving in a defensive way will decrease the number of accidents your drivers get in while also decreasing how much you pay for insurance.
Make Sure Your Truck Drivers are Practicing Defense Driving Today
Defense driving is important for every driver on the road, but it is especially vital for truck drivers and flatbed drivers. Defensive driving will keep your truck drivers and the drivers around them safe while saving you money on costly repairs and insurance. It will also make the roads and highways safe for everyone on them.
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