Whether for business or for pleasure, there’s nothing better than cruising down a road in the middle of nowhere in your truck. But ice, mud, or elevated terrain can create dangerous conditions that can threaten even the most experienced drivers. Here are a few things to keep on hand just in case.
Emergency Supplies
Everyone should keep emergency supplies in their car. But trucks even more so because of the fact that they tend to be doing tougher jobs out in wilderness areas. The absolute basic, first-base necessary requirement should be a first-aid kit. That might include bandages, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, non-prescription painkillers, hand sanitizer, allergy medications, and anti-diarrheal medications, among other things. A knife/window breaker combination tool is important for if the truck falls underwater. Also keep fire-starting equipment, matches or a lighter, and a reflective blanket to store heat. For the car itself, you’ll want at least some jumper cables and a winch. The final necessary tool should be a radio you can use to call for help.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can be helpful in numerous situations. You might be broken down on a suburban street, or you might be stuck in some deep mud by a mountainside – but a powerful tow truck will come in handy regardless. Roadside assistance can help rescue your truck when it’s stranded, but it can also provide peace of mind for you as you go about the day’s work. Some insurance companies might include roadside assistance as part of their coverage, but if yours doesn’t, make sure to have the phone numbers of some local companies handy just in case you find yourself without a phone signal at a critical moment.
Experience and Wisdom
The number one way to stay out of a crash is to not crash. Obvious, maybe – but you might be surprised. As a truck driver, you’re in a vehicle that’s a lot larger and a lot more powerful than most of the other vehicles on the road. You have a greater responsibility to be careful. Of course, you can’t avoid bad luck or the bad decisions of others. But you do everything in your power to drive defensively. That alone, paired with experience that comes with time, will prevent more accidents than any gadget ever will.
Safety should be of utmost importance. Truck drivers who enjoy the thrill of adrenaline when they do something dangerous are either rookies or just plain foolish. If you take the precautions necessary, and put in the effort to drive well, you’ll be okay ninety-nine percent of the time.
Check out this article on good driving habits to adopt!
