If you’re driving a tow truck, it’s probably inevitable that you’re going to encounter road work at some point. Construction happens. Being in a work zone can be stressful enough, and not just because of the inevitable slow down in traffic. There are a lot of hazards that go along with road work. Here are a few tips to stay safe while driving through a work zone.
Stay safe while driving a tow truck in a work zone
1. Understand the dangers of work zones.
First of all, you have to know the dangers of being in a work zone. (And if you’re driving a large vehicle it’s even more important to be cautious.) You have to be aware of things like shifting lanes and sudden stops. You also have to be on the lookout for uneven road surfaces, which could present some challenges. And then there’s the fact that workers and equipment will be around, and probably moving. On top of all that, you’ve got to look out for passenger cars, which can make some interesting choices in the circumstances. Being aware of these dangers can help you stay safe.
2. Take it easy.
You’ve also got to slow it down a little bit. Take it slow, be vigilant. Be careful and reduce your speed. That way you can react better to sudden changes, like if the traffic slows suddenly and causes everyone to hit the brakes. It’s probably not a great idea to go hurtling through a work zone. There are lots of cars and workers around, and you don’t want to scare anyone.
3. Keep a healthy following distance.
You should also keep a healthy following distance between your tow truck and the car in front of you. If, as we mentioned above, the traffic suddenly slows, you need some breathing room in order to be able to come to a safe stop. A tow truck can’t stop at the drop of a hat, after all. So, just play it safe and make sure there’s a healthy amount of space between your truck’s bumper and the bumper of the car in front of you. No tailgating when you’re in a work zone.
4. Be ready to stop.
Since the going can be slow in areas where there’s road work, be ready to react quickly and stop quickly. That means being attentive to what’s happening up ahead. There can be a lot of stop and go, emphasis on the stop. Anyway, it can take a lot of time for a tow truck to come to a halt. The more time you give yourself, the better. You always have to look ahead for changes in traffic.
5. Obey work zones and signals.
It’s also really important to be watching for work zone signs and signals. Look for these signs, as they can tell you important information. The point of these signs is to keep everyone safe, right? Listen to what the signs are telling you. They’re not just decorative.
6. Be aware of your blind spots.
If you are driving a tow truck, you’re in charge of a very large vehicle. And very large vehicles can have bad blind spots. You need to know about these blind spots and you need to take care. Passenger cars do strange things, and they might be running around in the blind spots where you can’t see them.
7. Be on the lookout for road crews.
It’s also really important to be on the lookout for any road crews or flag crews. These people are just trying to do their jobs. It’s important to keep a sharp eye out for any workers who are on the side of the road. You have to be really careful. Don’t get too close to anyone – no need to scare any of the road crew workers.
Being a tow truck driver isn’t an easy job. Especially when you are faced with work zones. Though there are a lot of tricky things about driving through a work zone, by taking your time and being attentive you can keep yourself, other drivers, and workers on the side of the road safe.
Get tow truck insurance quotes.
You also need to have the right insurance for your tow truck business. Our team would be happy to help with that. We like to make tow truck insurance easy and we like to help people save money on their coverage. There are a few ways you can get in touch with us – you can call us, message us, or fill out our online form. We can help with your tow truck insurance needs.
Source:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/tips-truck-and-bus-drivers
