Often when people think about truck driving, they think about long windy roads but there are many drivers who need to make deliveries in urban areas. It can be very tricky to delivery loads safely in tight and busy city streets. Here, we have rounded up some tips to help make urban deliveries easier.

Plan An Appropriate Route

Reviewing and understanding the route is incredibly important. Knowing which exits to take, what hazards might be ahead and what restrictions might be on the roads. Technology can be very handy for this; there are real time reports on traffic delays and road blocks that might be ahead.

Be a Defensive Driver

When driving through the city, be ready to deal with all sorts of obstacles quickly. It is different then driving on the highway because there are many more distractions such as pedestrians, cyclists and potholes. One way to avoid these distractions is by constantly scanning the road ahead and anticipate other peoples’ actions. Be sure to keep distance from the vehicle ahead to allow enough time to stop.

Pay Attention to Signs

Signs such as weight restrictions, one-ways and low clearances around bridges. There are often lanes that are designated for large trucks so do not hesitate to read signs as many times as you need to fully understand.

Use Turn Signals

Be sure to use turn signals often and early. When a turn or lane change needs to happen, give lots of time to complete the task. Be sure to turn the signal on at minimum three seconds before the lane change needs to happen.

Don’t Stress

City driving can be infuriating no doubt but it is important to remain calm. If emotions are running high it will be difficult to make sound decisions. Keep safety a priority and let things go if mistakes are made by other drivers.

Drive for the Weather

Road conditions can change quickly depending on the weather. It is always vital to drive for the conditions but even more important when you are driving in the city with a small space and a lot of vehicles. Obviously if it is raining or snowing the roads can be slippery which means it takes longer to stop and go.

Overall, keep distractions at a minimum, understand the route and be proactive when driving in urban areas.

RESOURCES

https://www.suburbanseats.com/blogs/news/big-trucks-big-city-seven-tips-urban-big-rig-driving

https://schneiderjobs.com/blog/truck-driving-in-city

https://www.cloudtrucks.com/blog-post/truck-driving-in-the-city-the-complete-guide