Keeping all drivers safe on the road: a top priority for 2019

Saving lives on the road.

Truckers are often first on the scene if there’s an accident out on the roads. If it happened to you, would you know what to do? How about starting off your New Year with some training to help you potentially save lives whilst out driving?

Driver First Assist (DFA) is a not-for-profit organisation which trains drivers to deliver life-saving first aid treatment to casualties, before emergency services reach the scene. In addition, advice is given on how to use your truck to protect the area and what to communicate to the emergency services. 

It can have a real impact. In 2015, a driver who had recently completed a DFA course was among the first on the scene of a serious incident on the M6, where he used his tractor unit to block a lane and tended to a casualty with spinal injuries. He received a police commendation for his actions.

Join 1000 other DFA members: sign up for a course (or ask your employer!) and make 2019 the year you become a first responder.

Navigating the urban jungle.

One of the biggest challenges for drivers is navigating a truck through the tight, congested streets of a city. Competing with vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians for limited space proves problematic and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress as well as major safety concerns.

Smart vehicles offer intelligent and reassuring solutions – Mercedes-Benz Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA4) is just one of the newer features to offer further safety protection. The technology is the first emergency braking assistant with pedestrian recognition, which means a truck can quite literally detect a pedestrian stepping in to its path from behind an obstacle, such as a parked car.

Innovative truck designs such as the award-winning Mercedes-Benz Econic are also paving the way for safer roads. Its deep and wide panoramic windscreen, low seat position and fully glazed folding door ensure ultimate visibility for drivers and allow them to make eye contact with other road users, in particular cyclists. Additionally, four blind spot cameras increase the driver’s view of all sides of the vehicle – ideal when turning, stopping at junctions and traffic lights or working on the roadside.

Paul Banu, contracted haulier for Tarmac, says the Econic has transformed the experience of driving through London: “I can say it’s really enjoyable to drive the Econic. It’s less stressful and at the end of the day you don’t really realise you’ve had a hard day.”

– Paul Banu, Tarmac

Making your health a top priority this year.

Truck life can be hard. Long hours, irregular sleep patterns, eating on the go and stressful situations can all cause strain on your health and put you at risk of illness, burnout and possibly falling asleep at the wheel. So make 2019 the year you make your own health and safety a priority.

Follow these top tips to feel good physically and mentally:

• Eat small and often (plenty of fruit and vegetables) plus avoid heavy carb based meals before a long journey, to prevent drowsiness. If possible plan your meals to avoid relying on convenience food and don’t forget to drink lots of water.
• Take regular breaks – whether it be for a power nap, brisk walk or a nice cuppa; allow your body and mind to recharge.
• Try to fit in moderate exercise around your shifts to improve overall health, increase energy and lift your mood.

Take care and keep trucking.

We hope this year is a safe and successful one for all our RoadStars. Road safety should always be top of mind for employers, drivers and other road users, to ensure we keep the UK moving and returning home at the end of the day.

Tell us your safety tips.

Could you offer a solution to a common trucker safety problem? Please share with us below – it may even help save someone’s life!