Driving a tow truck isn’t an easy job. You have to be alert and understand the importance of driving defensively. You’re not out there on the road on your own – there are other drivers who share the roadways with you. And when you’re driving a big tow truck, probably hauling a car, you need to take steps to be extra safe and avoid accidents. Your wrecker or tow truck doesn’t drive the same as a normal passenger car, so you need to be sure to be courteous and safe by keeping some truck-driving best practices in mind. Here are 6 tips for driving a tow truck.
1. Keep a healthy following distance.
It’s best to keep a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you. This can help you avoid plowing into the car in front of you if there’s a sudden slow down in traffic. Heavy trucks take longer to slow and come to a halt than regular cars, so be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. Along with being safe, this is also plain considerate because many drivers get nervous if there’s a tow truck crowding them.
You especially need to increase your following distance when you’re driving at night or driving in snow or rain. When driving conditions are poor, slow down and leave more following distance.
2. Signal early.
When you’re approaching an intersection, signal your intent with lots of time so that drivers know what you’re going to do. This can help them make decisions about slowing down and navigating their own course. Remember, it’s important to be visible and clear about your intent.
3. Create a personal space bubble on the road.
Try to leave some extra room between you and the cars around you. Your vehicle is quite a bit larger than many of the SUVs and cars on the road, so give everyone some breathing room when you can.
4. Don’t drive distracted.
The danger of texting and driving cannot be understated. Looking away from the road to read or send a text takes your attention off your surroundings for about five seconds. A tow truck going fifty miles an hour can easily go the length of a football field in that time. When you’re driving your tow truck, don’t multitask. Distractions can lead to accidents. Don’t risk hurting someone else by texting or talking on the phone while driving. Besides, using handheld phones and electronic devices while driving is illegal for drivers of commercial motor vehicles.
And accidents make your tow truck insurance rates go up.
5. Wear your seatbelt.
There are plenty of reasons why you should wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts prevent drivers from being thrown from the vehicle if there’s an accident and they distribute the force of the crash over the strongest parts of the body. They also slow the driver down to keep them from being tossed into the windshield. When you drive your tow truck, be sure to buckle up. It’s safer that way.
Taking care to be safe when you’re driving a wrecker can help you save money on your tow truck insurance rates. Safety helps you avoid accidents, which, apart from being good for your health, can help you get cheap tow truck insurance quotes. Drive defensively by being aware of your surroundings and the other drivers of the road. And don’t forget to be mindful that other drivers might not be aware of just how large your tow truck is – signal early and give yourself lots of room.
If you’re looking to get tow truck insurance quotes, we can help you with that. We have relationships with numerous insurance carriers, so we can help you shop for the best rate for your insurance. All you have to do to get your tow truck insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call today.
