Life on the road isn’t for everyone. And no, we’re not talking about traveling the countryside at your leisure in an RV. We’re talking about being a truck driver.
Starting a career as a truck driver has a lot of benefits. It’s a steady, well-paying gig that provides job security. You also get to travel the country while getting paid to do so.
However, there are some inherent risks that come with operating a big rig and some requirements like the DOT regulations that you need to adhere to at all times. If you’re wondering what they are, your best bet is to click here and read on to find more information about the rules. If you’re planning on going down this career path, there are a few things you need to consider.
Keep reading for the top five dangers of being a truck driver.
1. Long Hours on the Road
If you are someone who gets sleepy after driving for a few hours, the truck driver occupation isn’t for you. Truck drivers typically drive for 11 hours a day. On flat, straight interstates that go on for hundreds of miles, it’s easy to get bored and start feeling drowsy.
Drowsiness can lead to deadly accidents with other vehicles, drifting off the road, over-correcting upon waking, and more.
2. Inclement Weather Conditions
One of the things that lower truck driver life expectancy is poor road conditions. Poor road conditions are most often a result of inclement weather. Things like snow, heavy rain, ice, and high winds can make it incredibly difficult to maintain control of big rigs.
Heavy rain and snowfall can limit big rig operators’ visibility. High winds can push the truck all over the road and cause dangerous swaying. Finally, icy conditions can cause a truck to slide and limit its stopping potential.
3. Operating a Large Vehicle
You may be wondering “Is truck driving dangerous in general?” If you take away bad weather conditions and drowsiness, truck driving remains a difficult and dangerous job. The reason is that semi-trucks are massive vehicles capable of carrying multiple tons of cargo.
Naturally, a big rig traveling down the highway is difficult to stop. Changing lanes, making turns, and parking is also more tedious than when driving a typical vehicle. At all times, you have to be highly aware of your truck’s size, weight, and dimensions.
That’s why so many truck drivers and big rig companies opt for customized trucking insurance to make sure the company and their drivers are completely covered.
4. Summer Tourism
Heavy traffic also increases the danger of driving big rigs. For example, during the summer, interstates and highways are packed with people traveling to and from tourist destinations. This includes other over-sized vehicles like RVs, pickups with campers and/or boats in-tow, and more.
Congested roadways make driving big rigs more difficult. There are several more drivers to be aware of and most people don’t give truckers adequate space.
5. Sedentary Working Conditions
Finally, in terms of long-term health, big rig drivers also run the risk of health conditions caused by sedentary lifestyles. While there are some trucking initiatives that encourage drivers to exercise, they’re still sitting for at least 11 hours a day behind the wheel.
You also need to consider that most meal and snack options that are found by the road aren’t healthy. Many truckers revert to eating fast food and unhealthy snacks. This includes drinking soda and energy drinks to help stay alert.
Do You Drive a Big Rig?
If you currently drive a big rig or are planning for your career, it’s vital to take the dangers of trucking into account. The more you’re aware of these issues, the better prepared you’ll be to overcome them.
And if you’re looking for more valuable business advice, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go. Our blog was designed with people like you in mind.
