From the time the gate is closed on the back of your cargo, you are responsible for the contents of your delivery until the final drop off at your destination. Your liability for cargo as the truck driver increases due to many factors like the distance of the journey, kinds of roads being traveled on, the value of the cargo and driver history. Each delivery will have its ad hoc circumstances involved with the final price of pay and coverage. For your trucking company, the best kind of marketing that you can have is a good insurance policy. Clients need to know that the drivers they hire to transport their products will do so with proficiency and careful consideration. Following these tips can help ensure your clients that they can trust you to get the job done right before you’re even hired. It’s not a shot at the drivers, but in a business deal like this, companies are going to be more interested in the cargo than they will the driver. Even though the safety of the two go hand in hand, if something is to happen to one or both of them, then the expense for the client will be at the cost of lost merchandise, not the driver. Content Matters- The first way to reduce trucking risks that come with transporting cargo is to understand the cargo you’re taking. What kind of cargo is it? How valuable is it? Are there hazardous materials involved? Does it need to avoid certain kinds of weather conditions? Is there an expiration date on them? By understanding the nature of the cargo being delivered, all of the proper permits, certifications and other preparations can be obtained in turn allow drivers to adjust operations for the job. Truckers are required by the federal government to have at least a $750,000 coverage minimum for carrying regular cargo. However, if truckers are carrying hazardous cargo, they need to look into getting a much higher coverage policy which could range up to $5,000,000. If you’re not sure what circumstances cause more risk? Speak with your trucking insurance representative who will be able to help with exactly what permits, authority and or coverage minimums you should get. Good Driving Habits- Just like having a good insurance policy, having a good driving record is also one of the best forms of marketing for a trucker. Accidents, late deliveries, damaged goods and much more will all follow drivers on their records and potentially keep drivers from getting jobs. Good driving habits need to be practiced all the time, especially with truck drivers. In 2008 alone, there were 4,229 Fatalities in Crashes Involving Large Trucks. The nature of truck driving is a dangerous one to begin with, but when adding sleep depravity, exhaustion, distraction, weather conditions and or a number of other factors, the risks grow higher for truck drivers, other drivers and pedestrians. Even though issues like bad weather and roads are out of the control of truck drivers, it’s easy to check the conditions of roads and weather of your chosen route online through each states DOT. To avoid exhaustion and sleep depravity you should be consuming a proportional nutritious diet and exercising daily. Avoid over-eating carbohydrate heavy foods that could make you sleepy and have a cup of coffee ready to go when you need it. The most important task to do is to keep your eyes on the road. It can be easy to get distracted with roadside action, cell phones, the radio or just â€stuff†in general. You’re driving a very big machine that is capable of putting everyone and everything in its vicinity at risk. Consider purchasing hands-free devices for your cell phone so that you will be able to talk and stay focused, as well as practice safe driving habits like not searching for items or texting. Reducing risk for trucking is beneficial for all sides of the trucking industry. With simple research and the practicing of good habits, risk can be reduced significantly in order to save time, money and lives.
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