According to AAA, around 49.3 million Americans will travel by car during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. With traffic peaking on Wednesday and commutes expected to take four times as long as normal, a number of unique driving risks arise.
During this time of year, there are difficult weather conditions, limited daylight, and drivers in unfamiliar areas. Not only will everyday drivers be affected, but truck drivers will have a much more difficult time getting their job done. Truck drivers travel these roads every day, and their regular routes will be heavily altered during this time.
It’s important for truckers to be prepared and take precautions when driving on busy roads.
Take these driving tips into consideration to help you get where you need to be:
Stay Alert
With bumper to bumper traffic and changes in the weather, truckers much anticipate the actions of other drivers on the road. It’s crucial to look out for unsafe or aggressive drivers and steer clear of them. Making risky moves such as unsafe lane changes and merges are major causes of accidents. Constantly switching lanes is dangerous, therefore truckers should only change when absolutely necessary. The safest way to get to a desired destination is to pay attention to the road at all times.
Plan Ahead
As truck drivers head onto the road, they must give themselves enough time for a safe and successful trip. Leaving early to avoid peak travel times and being mindful of congestion or delays by checking traffic reports will save drivers a lot of stress and potential danger. Truckers must be weather-conscious and prepare for unfavorable circumstances as far in advance as possible. It’s important to remember that rain, snow, and other conditions can create potential hazards.
Know The Route
Just like any other time of the year, truckers need to know and understand the route they are taking on. Getting familiar with the roads will help drivers prepare for different changes. During the holiday weekend, many people on the road will be unfamiliar with the direction they are going, and truck drivers do not want to be in the middle of the confusion as well. Along with knowing the route, drivers should ensure their trucks are ready for the long-distance travel and perform proper maintenance before driving.
At Pyramid Logistics, we are lucky to have a team of truck drivers who are passionate about their job. Our team does not cut corners when it comes to safety, compliance, and investment in our operations, so that we may ensure safe and on-time delivery of our client’s properties.
How can we help your business and transportation needs? We work with marketing teams and sales managers to ensure your goals are met.
If you have a question, we encourage you to ask a question or request a quote below: