The Breakdown: Keeping it Stress-Free
In the trucking industry, highway breakdowns are an unfortunate fact of life. While mostly inconvenient, there is the potential for breakdowns to be dangerous for you and your truck, especially if they are not handled carefully. Prepare beforehand and ensure your safety by following these tips:
1. Be Overly Cautious - If at all possible, attempt to pull over somewhere other than the highway shoulder. A rest area is your best choice, but if there isn’t one nearby, parking on the shoulder of an entrance ramp is the next safest location. Refrain from spending more time than absolutely necessary outside your truck.
2. Make it Obvious - Turn your hazard lights on immediately if you sense your truck is failing. Once parked, you must put out emergency warning devices within 10 minutes. On a divided highway they must be placed behind your vehicle at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet. On a two-way highway they must be placed 100 feet in front of, and 10 feet and 100 feet behind your vehicle.
3. Keep in Contact - Most likely you will need roadside assistance, so be aware of service centers along your route beforehand in order to contact the closest help when the time comes. Remember to alert your dispatcher as well, so your company can stay up-to-date on all repairs.
Specifically for NTB drivers: Be aware of where you are—exit number, milepost number, etc.—and contact dispatch to report your location and breakdown, communicating necessary details as clearly as possible. Dispatch will put you in contact with maintenance. For safety reasons, limit the amount of time you are outside the vehicle. When outside the vehicle and wear a safety vest.
Rig breakdowns can be tough and will probably cost you precious time, but it’s nothing to lose your head over. Staying safe and being careful will help you focus and get the job done. You’ll be back on the road in no time!