IRU Checklist The truck driver’s checklist Professionally driven trucks are involved in fewer road accidents As a truck driver, you must drive in a highly responsible manner per kilometre travelled than any other vehicles. However, at all times and show your professionalism by anticipating when they are involved in a crash, regardless of who is to and forgiving the unsafe behaviour of other road users. blame, the results can be more serious as they are larger and heavier than other vehicles. The nature of the goods You can help save lives and improve the image of your profession. carried can also increase the severity of an accident. Are you prepared? Your life and the life of other road users depend on your alertness and reactions in emergency Professional driving is very demanding, Don’t drink alcohol before driving so you need to stay fit, physically or take drugs or medication that and mentally. Healthy eating could impair your driving skills. and drinking, as well as regular Avoid heavy meals before driving, as exercise will help you to feel better, these can make you feel drowsy. drive better and live longer. Adjust your seat so you are sitting Respect the legal requirements as comfortably as possible, with all related to driving and rest times. controls within easy reach. Ensure your Non-compliance or tampering with head is positioned to benefit from the the tachograph is illegal and shows head restraint in case of an accident. a lack of respect for human lives. Use your rest hours to rest. Use your seat belt if you have If you feel drowsy – STOP! Get one and don’t forget your co-driver. out of your vehicle, stretch your Even truck drivers can die if they go legs and get some fresh air. through the windscreen! Anyone resting in a bunk should be secured when the vehicle is in motion. ...And is everything else ready? Is everything in good working order? Check your route. Are there any Have you checked the brakes and brake bridges, tunnels, etc. where your lines (both tractor and trailer), tires vehicle might have a problem (pressure and tread depth), coolant (dimensions, weight, dangerous and oil? What about the mirrors, goods)? Does it make best use of windows (are they free of unnecessary motorways and avoid residential stickers?), windscreen wipers, lights areas? Where will you take your and indicators? How about special breaks? Check the weather conditions. equipment like extinguishers and snow chains? Is there any visible damage and is the vehicle clean? Is the load evenly distributed Do you have the right documents? and properly secured? Will you Have you inserted the tachograph have to redistribute it and secure disk/card? Do you have the legally it again if you unload part of it required disks on board? before your final destination? Take extra care on the road Remember you can’t see smaller At night, dip your headlights in road users in your blind spot good time when traffic approaches Pay particular attention when: from the opposite direction. Make • Turning, in case a vehicle is sure your lights and reflectors are overtaking in your blind spot clean, so that your vehicle is visible. • Reversing, especially if the steering wheel is on the “wrong” side (GB-IRL/continental Europe) Don’t overtake unless you Adapt your driving to weather are sure that you have enough conditions. When roads are slippery room and will not force other with rain, mud, ice or snow (remember vehicles to slow down. your snow chains), reduce your speed – the same goes for driving in fog, rain or at twilight, and in tunnels. Keep a safe distance from the Park only where permitted. Take care vehicle in front of you – at least not to obstruct traffic or the view of the minimum legal distance. other road users and avoid residential The safe distance increases at areas. Make sure the vehicle cannot higher speeds and if there is rain, move when unattended. Don’t leave mud, ice or snow on the road. your engine running unnecessarily. Stop if your engine brakes or Use secure parking areas wherever retarder overheats. Don’t proceed possible. Don’t park in isolated, unlit until you are sure that there is no places, especially at night. Don’t tell further risk of overheating or failure. strangers about your load or itinerary. Drive in a convoy if possible. Inspect your vehicle and load for signs of unauthorised entry or tampering before resuming your journey. Try to anticipate problems. Avoid It is illegal to use a handheld sudden braking and acceleration mobile phone while driving. If which may be dangerous to you need to talk on the move, get a other road users, waste fuel proper handsfree system installed. and generate extra pollution. Respect traffic regulations After the trip, report to your company at all times. Don’t adopt the any problems with your vehicle, the bad habits of other road users. routes you used or the deliveries you Driving safely protects your life, made, so that repairs or adjustments the lives of others and your job. can be made before the next trip. In a breakdown, accident or other emergency, inform your base and/or the local emergency services immediately. Programme emergency numbers into your mobile phone before your trip. This checklist is provided to you by the IRU Academy, the training arm of the International Road Transport Union (IRU). See our training programmes on www.iru.org/academy ©2020 IRU I-0427-1 (en) iru.org.