As a professional driver or a transportation company, learning about trucking safety is essential. By researching common truck violations, you can find out more about frequently-encountered issues, as well as how to avoid them. 

Ultimately, knowledge is power when it comes to safety on the road. With that in mind, here’s a look at some common truck violations, as well as how to avoid them. 

Hours Violations

When it comes to common truck violations, failing to stay within hours limits is one of the most common. Companies may press drivers to continue on the road far longer than they should, or drivers may feel that they’re capable of handling more, causing them to keep driving even when it puts them over their allotment. 

Both companies and drivers have responsibilities relating to hours violations. Organizations should never ask drivers to remain on the road beyond their allotment and should actively monitor hours to look for violations, correcting undesirable behavior on the part of drivers as needed. Drivers need to stand up against unreasonable requests, as well as self-regulate to ensure they remain within the limits. 

Traffic Violations

CDL drivers aren’t immune to traffic violations, though avoiding them is often within their control. Using turn signals, merging safety, following speed limits, and other steps aren’t just safer; they’re required by law. 

Drivers need to remain vigilant on the road, ensuring they can keep an eye out for road signs and signals, as well as prepare for actions by other drivers that may make quick action necessary. Additionally, companies should follow up on all violations, no matter how minor, and provide regular training to keep drivers safety-conscious. 

Load Violations

When it comes to dangerous violations, overloading easily qualifies. Similarly, improperly securing loads, unbalanced loads, and similar issues make the journey far more hazardous for drivers and other people on the roads alike. 

Overloaded vehicles may take longer to stop, something that’s dangerous regardless of road conditions. Unbalanced loads may shift, increasing the odds of toppling or jackknifing. Similarly, improperly secured loads may move while in transit, potentially spilling over roads or altering how the truck drivers. 

Ultimately, companies and drivers need to follow all laws about maximum weights. Additionally, they need to ensure that loads are balanced and correctly secured, reducing the odds of accidents. 

Record-Keeping Violations

Drivers aren’t just required to follow various rules while on the road; they also need to log specific details along the way. Recording hours, duty statuses, and similar information is essential. Otherwise, drivers and companies can face large fines or other significant consequences. 

Falsifying records is another common issue, and it comes with severe penalties. Along with fines, falsifying logs could lead a driver to be placed out of service. 

When it comes to record-keeping, accuracy and timeliness are the easiest ways to avoid issues. Companies should ensure that drivers are properly informed about log-related laws and trained to handle them correctly. As for drivers, diligence and following all instructions is a must, ensuring the records are created in accordance with the law. 

If you have a safe driving record and are looking to learn more about trucking safety, the team at PTS® wants to hear from you. Contact us today.  

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