Tips For New Commercial Drivers On Handling A Breakdown
Posted on: 20 August 2015
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Driving commercial trucks can be a lucrative job for individuals that are wanting a change from their current careers. While these trucks are normally renowned for their reliability, it is possible for them experience mechanical problems that can cripple your truck. Unfortunately, many new drivers are poorly prepared for this inevitable event, and this can cause them to experience significant stress. Luckily, these tips can help ensure that your breakdown goes as smoothly as possible.
Invest In Towing Insurance
A towing service may be the only way for you to get your damaged truck to a repair shop. Unfortunately, these truck towing services can be extremely expensive. It will require a special tow truck to move these large vehicles, and these trucks may need to be towed a great distance to reach a repair shop that can work on large commercial trucks.
You can offset this cost by investing in a commercial towing policy. These policies will pay for your vehicle to be towed. While there are policy limits in place that will limit the amount of the towing cost these plans cover, these plans can drastically reduce the amount you must pay to have it towed, which can help you to better manage the major expense of repairing your truck.
Be Prepared For A Breakdown
Depending on where your truck breaks down, there is a chance that you may have to spend several hours waiting on a tow truck. Not surprisingly, this can place you in a dangerous situation, but there are steps that you can take to protect yourself while you are waiting on help.
One of the most important things that you can have is an emergency kit that contains water, first aid kits, roadside flares, a flashlight and extra batteries. If it is dark when you broke down, you will need to place the roadside flares behind your truck and to the sides of it to alert other drivers of your truck's presence. Without these flares, other drivers may not see your vehicle until it is too late, and this can lead to extremely serious accidents.
If you are considering switching careers to become a commercial truck driver, it is important that you understand how to handle a breakdown. These problems are unavoidable, but knowing the benefits of investing in towing insurance and being prepared for a breakdown will make it easier for you to minimize the stress that you experience during these events.