Everyday, there are many drivers who find themselves in need of professional towing in Williston, ND. It could be because they drove into a ditch, plowed into the car in front of them, their engine died or they were distracted. There are all sorts of reasons, and they apply to drivers of every kind of vehicle. Take semi truck drivers, for example. They are likely on deadline to haul a truckload of products somewhere, but if they get into an accident or run into engine trouble that requires a tow, they’ll fall behind schedule.
Knowledge is power, so let’s take a look at some common causes of big rig breakdowns and road accidents so you can avoid needing a tow.
Tired drivers
Driver fatigue is one of the top causes of auto accidents. Either the person driving has not gotten adequate sleep, they are taking medications that make them sleepy or they are tired from having to sit in one position for a long time. Think about how many consecutive hours truck drivers are behind the wheel—have they rested enough? Remaining on schedule is important, and understandable—after all, it’s your livelihood—but safety is crucial. To avoid an accident, if you are a long-haul trucker, you should pull over for short naps when you feel your eyelids getting heavy.
Driving too fast
Speeding and whipping in and out of multiple lanes of traffic is unsafe, especially if the speeding vehicle is a big rig pulling a trailer. Driving too fast doesn’t allow the driver much time for braking, and weaving through traffic can cause collisions or lead trucks to go off the road. Many states have posted speed limit signs instructing semis and vehicles with trailers to drive at a lower speed, and driving slower is often coupled with moving to the far right lane. Remember, a large truck moving at the speed of light puts that driver and other motorists around them at risk of harm.
A lack of maintenance
Like owning a daily driver, it’s important for big rig drivers to properly maintain their trucks. That is, the internal working parts and the exterior frame must all be in good working order to ensure strong road performance. Whether you own your rig or are driving a company truck, it’s your duty to schedule regular professional routine maintenance and other required services. You also want to have some familiarity with truck parts, like knowing how the engine and brake systems should look and recognizing when a sound or smell is unusual. Otherwise, have too many breakdowns on your record, and business could dwindle. No one is interested in paying to have their cargo delivered late.
Now that you know some of the most common causes of big rig issues on the road, you can avoid them through planning and regular truck maintenance.
No matter the size or shape of your vehicle, when you need towing in Williston, ND after an accident or breakdown, rest assured that the team at Chaney Total Auto & Exhaust Repair is equipped to help. Contact us today!