New Year's Resolution: Defensive Driving in 2025
Professional drivers, when it comes to the 2024 holiday season, the calendar is not on your side. A late Thanksgiving has compressed the holiday rush, meaning more traffic, tighter schedules and heightened risks heading into Christmas Day. Plus, many parts of the country have already seen their first snowfalls, creating treacherous driving conditions.
The best way to stay safe amid the holiday hustle and bustle is to give yourself the gift of patience. Follow these eight tips:
1. Scan the Road Ahead
Keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians, cyclists, traffic backups, work zones and other potential hazards. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends scanning ahead by about 15 seconds (roughly a quarter-of-a-mile) on highways and one-to-two blocks in city traffic.
2. Give Yourself Some Space
Allow for plenty of reaction time in the event of an unexpected lane change or stoppage by maintaining proper following distance. Keep at least 4 seconds of space between you and the vehicle ahead when driving 40 mph. Add an extra second for every additional 10 mph. Remember, you may need to increase this distance even further depending on current road conditions or traffic.
3. Watch Your Blind Spots
The most dangerous parts of your truck are those you can’t see. Check your mirrors every 8 to 10 seconds to assess what’s happening around all sides of your vehicle.
4. Look for a Way Out
Try to avoid situations where your vehicle can be boxed in by other motorists. Develop a plan for how you’ll respond should another vehicle or object enter your path, possibly by using the shoulder of the road or moving into a clear lane of traffic. It’s a good idea to check your local news report to ensure your path is clear before heading out for the day.
5. Make Your Rig Visible to Others
Practice responsible driving behaviors and lead by example. Use your turn signals whenever changing lanes or making a turn. Use your four ways in an emergency. Make sure your brake lights work properly so other motorists know you’re stopping. Use your horn only when absolutely necessary.
6. Expect Other Drivers To Be Aggressive
When you see other drivers speeding, tailgating or running red lights, resist the urge to make eye contact with them or gesture at them. Instead, ease your frustration by backing off the throttle and taking a few deep breaths.
7. Avoid Distractions
Avoid texting, talking on the phone, eating and listening to loud music while driving. Not only is this illegal in many states but the FMCSA prohibits these types of actions from professional drivers in a CMV.
8. Slow Down and Buckle Up
Always wear your seatbelt and drive at an appropriate speed within the posted speed limit. Adjust your speed down due to weather, traffic and vehicle load so you can keep control of your rig at all times.
