Personal Safety Recommendations For Semi Truck Drivers

As a truck driver who spends days of your life out on the road, it’s crucial that you understand how to protect yourself. No matter who you are, no matter how fearless you are, your personal safety may well be in danger at poorly-lit truck stops, sketchy gas stations, or while parked in a dark lot. Knowing some strategies to keep yourself safe will help you avoid coming to any harm en route to your destination.

Remain Aware of Your Surroundings

First and foremost, you should always understand the atmosphere wherever you find yourself and be prepared to react. While it might seem paranoid, it’s always good to keep tabs on the people around you and pay close attention to people who seem to follow you around. Look for safe places and introduce yourself to gas station attendants and shop clerks in the area so that you can come to them if you need some guidance or assistance.

Keep Yourself Visible

When you’re walking through a dark parking lot, keep yourself on the main thoroughfare and don’t weave between vehicles, where someone could easily grab you or hit you from behind. Stay under streetlights and among other people, and look for places with security cameras, as all of these measures can make a robbery or assault much less likely.

Don’t Visit Rest Areas

While it might be tempting to pull over to a quiet rest area at night for some sleep, these areas present a great danger when they aren’t frequented by dozens of tourists and commuters during daylight hours. Drive right on past them when the sun has set and find yourself a more populated place to spend the night or take a break, such as a gas station or restaurant.

Increase Your Truck’s Security

Making sure that your truck is safeguarded from break-ins is another good strategy for protecting yourself. If the cab of your truck has windows, it can be a good idea to put up curtains or coverings at night to prevent anyone from seeing inside, especially if you have valuable personal items like a laptop in your cab. Before you bed down for the night, whether it’s in a motel or in your cab, you should ensure that all doors and windows are shut and locked tightly.

We hope that these tips help you to stay safe when driving your semi truck. Looking to purchase a new truck? Stop by our dealership in Sanford, FL, to check out our current stock of new and used semi trucks for sale. DeBary Truck Sales serves our Florida customers in greater Jacksonville and Orlando as well as those of you coming from Atlanta, Georgia.