Tips On Truck Driving Through Big Cities
Driving through the big cities is like a nightmare for every trucker, and especially for newbie drivers. Urban streets are smaller and narrower than highways. And you have to deal with heavy traffic and parking problems. Remember, confidence comes with time and experience. But the following tips will help you to make your trip as stress-free as possible.Â
Plan Your Route
Planning a trip is a vital thing wherever you have to go. This becomes even more relevant if we take into account traffic jams and the fact that some city roads are impassable by semi-trucks. Before you enter the town, check the weather report, traffic, and the local rules. Ask your customer for the direction, verify the location using Google Earth, and plan your route ahead with GPS. Pad your schedule with a few extra minutes and try to avoid rush hour.
Keep Your Distance
Try to keep a good distance between your truck and other cars and always be prepared for unplanned stops. Always check your mirrors and remember that pedestrians, bikers, and other drivers may hide in the truck blind spots.
Slow Down
Another tip to help you stay safe and get to your destination without accidents is to take your time. This will make it much easier for you to react quickly in the event of a potential hazard. City life can be really busy, so there are a lot of people and cars around. Remember how long it takes your truck to brake.Â
Keep Calm
Despite the need to plan your route, you can never predict everything. And if there is nothing you can do to change the situation, try to stay calm. Just let your client and boss know what’s going on.