How’s My Driving? - Safe Driving Blog Tips

Monday welcomes the start of a new working week, and we want to highlight just some of the fantastic opportunities a job in the UK’s haulage industry can offer and how you can get qualified, today!

With it being one of the hardest jobs in the UK, it’s no surprise that the training is rigorous, in order to become a lorry, bus or coach driver you need to:

• • Have a full car license.
• • Be over 18 years old for lorries, and 24 years for buses and coaches.
• • Apply, sit and pass 4 tests to receive the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
• • The 4 tests are broken down into: theory test, case studies, driving ability and practical demonstration.
• • Once you’ve successfully passed the tests you are able to apply for haulage jobs in the UK and EU.

Not only does the haulage industry offer a stable career an income, you also get paid to travel the country and Europe, with the peace of the open road for company.

Think you’ve got what it takes to take on one of the toughest jobs in the UK? Check out more information on GOV UK.

CHECK YOUR TRUCKS TUESDAY

We all know how important it is to check our trucks regularly, but it isn’t just down to the company, there are things that truckers can be checking too!

Engine: Check the oil and water levels.

In the cab: Start the engine, operate the foot brake to ensure the warning light is working, also remember to check that all of the gauges, indicators, lights, horn etc. are working correctly.

Out the cab: Walk around the vehicle, checking the lights, license plate, wheels, tyres (pressure and depth of tread are important), mirrors and any trailer/load attached is connected safely.

Once you feel sure that your vehicle is safe and ready to drive, then set off and enjoy your journey – wherever it may take you!

NOT WORKING 9 TO 5 WEDNESDAY

The UK haulage industry doesn’t sleep, they work around the clock to make sure we get deliveries of fresh produce, house-hold items and online orders. The EU law regulates that drivers who spend 4.5 hours behind the wheel must take a 45-minute break. These measures are put in place to keep drivers alert through their long shift patterns, and to combat fatigue-related problems, which truck drivers are especially susceptible to.

With HGV and LGV drivers spending most of their time in their cabs, it’s no surprise that drivers look to personalise these areas with lights, picture, ornaments and other personal items.

What are your personal items that you can’t live without? We’d love to hear from you – so let us know @Hows_MyDriving

TRUCKERS UNITE THIS THURSDAY

ALERT TRUCKERS: You aren’t alone, there are approximately 700,000 professional drivers in Great Britain and we appreciate that from time to time you may want to share your thoughts and feelings with others in your arena. Check out these two support forums that we’ve found:

• • Truck Net UK
• • Real Women in Trucking

They are there to offer help, legal advice, a friendly chat or a long rant about your day.

Are there some forums we’ve forgotten to mention? Let us know @Hows_MyDriving

STAY FRESH THIS FRIDAY

Keep awake and alert at the wheel with these How’s My Driving?’s top tips:

Keep hydrated:

Dehydration can result in impaired mental functioning, a reduction in concentration, alertness and short-term memory. By continually sipping water throughout the journey, you’ll find yourself staying awake and refreshed for longer.

Get your beauty sleep:

If you get a full 8-9 hours of sleep before embarking on your journey, you have the best chance of staying fully awake and alert for the drive.

Think nutritious:

Food is fuel, and this job requires you to be on the go for long periods of time, so when you are next planning to refuel, try to think about the right food you should be consuming.

Carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and rice will all provide a slow release of energy to keep you fuelled for longer. Fruits, nuts and seeds are all great snacks to keep those hunger pangs at bay whilst driving on the road.

Got any other top tips for staying fresh on the road?

Tweet us @Hows_MyDriving

CYCLING THIS SATURDAY?

We know the haulage world doesn’t stop, but the weekend can see a significant increase in cyclists out on the roads. In 2013, 109 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads, whilst a total of 19,438 were injured in some form. Check out our advice for truckers encountering cyclists this winter season:

• • Remember to give cyclists plenty of room, the weather can be windy this time of year, along with slippery roads - it can be a dangerous combination!
• • Try and signal early to give the cyclist plenty of warning of your next driving maneuver.
• • With the evenings getting darker earlier, remember to keep on the look-out for those cycle lights in your blind spots!

With both drivers and cyclists staying alert this winter, we can hopefully reduce this statistic.

SURVIVAL SUNDAY

For most of us, Sunday is a day of rest and recuperation!

Still out on the road? Don’t panic... we have some of the top survival tips to get you through a driving Sunday:

• • Why not tune into BBC radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday show with Clare Balding? It captures the previous week’s topical news stories, discussions and special guests alongside some of the week’s hottest music to keep you entertained on a Sunday.
• • Fancy non-stop music to get you through the evening? Listen from 4-7pm every Sunday on the Big Top 40 with Marvin Humes, who will count down the hottest records in the UK that week.

Got any other must-dos during a Sunday drive?

Let us know @Hows_MyDriving