Complacency: a driver’s biggest threat to safety

Complacency is a driver’s biggest threat to safety.  But, not just on the driver’s part.  Trucks are in everyone’s life.  We see thousands of them every day – on the roads, in shopping center parking lots and even passing through our neighborhoods.  That may sound obvious, but Joe Lunchbox’s and Sally Housecoat’s complacency create two safety rules to keep in mind:

1.      You’re as good as invisible - Because folks are used to seeing you, they have stopped paying attention to you.  People often don’t know, and don’t care, where you are (don’t take it personally).  At best, your truck is just something to get around.  But, especially if people are walking, many don’t even pay attention to your backup warning beeper.  It’s just part of the din of life.

2.     They are the center of the universe - People assume you’re a professional and that you know where they are at all times.  It’s all about them.  Folks don’t even think about blind spots – if they can’t see your mirrors, they don’t care.  Passing on the right or the left of your truck, they assume you know where they are and what they’re doing.

So, what can you, as a professional driver, do about this?  DriverSheets.com has put together two basic rules to keep in mind.

1.      Look before you go – This is the obvious one… but, a glance in the mirror often isn’t good enough.  When you’re getting ready to shift your truck’s position, shift YOUR position.  Lean forward-backward and side-to-side in your seat as you look in the mirror.  This offers you a greater variety of sightlines and puts you in the moment by physically engaging yourself in the action you’re about to take.

2.      Move very slow – When I was in charge of driving a large recording truck for an NPR station, we figured out that a glance in the mirror was often not enough.  We learned to use our ears as well.  We would often roll down the window as we slowly shifted into the next lane – all the while listening for a horn.  95% of the time, the coast was clear, but for that 5% of the time where we heard the horn, I’m sure the other driver was mighty glad we were listening!  Make your movements slowly.  Ease into the other lane and listen for honks from panicked drivers who finally realized that you exist – and had no idea where you were.

We would love to hear from you about other ways to keep safe while moving a truck across town or across country.  What works for you?  Let us know by visiting our web site www.DriverSheets.com or by emailing me at bdiehl@driversheets.com.  See you on the road!