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Have you ever felt like your personal safety was at risk on the road? Unfortunately, you’re not alone.
As an over-the-road (OTR) truck driver, you’re traveling across the country to places you may or may not be familiar with. It can be lonely and at times, scary. Unfortunately, there are some people outside of the trucking community that may be out to hurt or scam you.
As a driver manager for several years, I’ve heard horror stories of everything from drivers having items stolen off their trucks to being blocked in at their parking spot to having someone hiding underneath their truck to grab their legs when they go to get in the truck.
It’s a scary world out there.
You probably hear a lot about safely securing your loads and driving safely on the road, but what you often don’t hear enough about is how to protect your personal safety.
Personal safety is especially important for a woman on the road. As the minority in the industry — though more are breaking into the industry — you may have to take extra precautions to keep yourself safe.
Most major trucking carriers don’t allow weapons in the truck — things like guns, tasers, pepper spray, etc. — so how do you protect yourself otherwise?
As a driver manager, I’ll give you the same advice I give my drivers when they’re on the road. You’ll also hear from one of the female truck drivers on our fleet.
And keep in mind, these tips aren’t just for you ladies out there. Men are just as at risk on the road, so tune in and take notes.
7 Personal Safety Tips from a Driver Manager
It’s my job to make sure you feel safe out on the road — whether that’s encouraging safe driving behaviors, listening to you when you say it’s time to shut down because the weather’s bad or not sending you to areas you feel unsafe in.
The following tips are the ones I teach my drivers.
1. Call the Authorities If You Feel Threatened
First and foremost, if you feel unsafe or notice that someone is breaking into your truck, call the authorities and then call your driver manager. Stay in your truck. Don’t get out and try to fight anyone off.
If you’re at a truck stop, you can also call the attendant (if there is one). Sometimes there’s security at truck stops so they can assist you if you’re in a bad situation.
2. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead can go a long way in promoting your personal safety. Planning ahead might be the difference between parking in a nice, safe area versus being forced to park in a dangerous area. Know where you’re going to (safely) shut down for the night and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
3. Park in Well-Lit Areas Close to the Truck Stop
It’s not always possible, but you should try to park as close to the truck stop as you can. It’s a good idea to stay in well-lit areas. The truck stops normally have cameras, so potential incidents can be caught on camera.
Parking close also prevents you from having to walk across dark parking lots late at night.
4. Communicate with your Driver Manager
Your driver manager should always be your strongest advocate on the road. Whenever you feel unsafe, you should let them know.
Everyone has different levels of personal safety boundaries. One thing that might make you feel unsafe might not bother another driver. You should never feel ashamed to communicate those boundaries with your driver manager. Your expectations for personal safety are important.
You may not always feel comfortable getting close to your driver manager, but at the very least, try to communicate those boundaries.
If you get a load offer and you don’t feel safe dropping off in a particular area, talk to your driver manager to see if something can be adjusted.
If you’re parking in a less-than-safe area or an area you’ve never parked in, let them know. Most trucks have GPS locators in them, but this will clue them into the potential danger in the area.
It’s not uncommon for items to get stolen at the truck stop, from fuel caps to license plates, so take careful stock of your equipment and let your driver manager know if something was taken in the night.
5. Add Additional Seals to Your Cargo
You should always seal (and padlock) your trailer. Many times the customers will give them to you, but if they don’t, put on a seal. I even advise my drivers to add a second seal. You’ll see if your freight has been tampered with if the seal is broken.
6. Avoid Nighttime Activities and Travel
If you know you’re going to have a hygiene day, make sure you do it during the day when the truck stop has plenty of foot traffic. You shouldn’t be doing it in the middle of the night. It’s not safe to be out that late.
If you can avoid leaving your truck in the dead of night, do it. Wandering around at weird hours is never a good idea. Some drivers go as far as putting in portable toilets so they don’t have to leave their trucks to use the restroom in the middle of the night.
7. Download Safety Apps
You can download safety apps to your smartphone that’ll track your GPS location and if you feel unsafe, you can press a panic button that alerts the authorities and/or your loved ones.
10 Personal Safety Tips from a Driver
Brittney is a flatbed driver who started driving with ATS in 2022. She’s had her CDL for a few years. Her dad is a truck driver and he got her into the trucking industry. He’s also taught her many tips and tricks along the way, including securement tips and ways to protect her personal safety on the road.
She’s participated in Damsel in Defense training, which has given her some helpful tools on the road to keep her safe.
1. Carry a Heavy Object
When you’re walking to the truck stop, especially late at night, carry something heavy with you. Because you can’t have any sort of weapon, you have to get a little creative.
Carrying a key lanyard or a heavy water bottle can do the trick, and it’s an item you’d carry with you into the truck stop anyway.
2. Do Your Pre-Trip In a Well-Lit Area
If you’re ever in a parking lot without good lighting or you’re starting your day when it’s still dark out, drive to the fuel island and do your pre-trip there. There’s good lighting and cameras everywhere.
If you happen to have parked at a mall or elsewhere, go near the lights, which have a better chance of having a camera on them for surveillance. Being out in the open can keep you safer.
3. Keep Your Winch Bar on You
When you’re securing your loads, you can keep your winch bar on you or carry your tire iron with you for extra protection. You can check everything using the tool, but it also acts as a tool for peace of mind to protect yourself if needed.
4. Stand Your Ground
Especially as a woman in the industry, you may encounter individuals that don’t think you can secure your loads properly or question your judgment. You have to stand your ground.
Be confident in what you’re doing and don’t let anyone push you around.
Simply saying, “This is my truck. That’s yours. I’ll secure my loads like I was taught and you do your thing. I’m good; thanks for your help,” can go a long way.
5. Cover Your Windows
Always keep your windows covered when you’re stopped — not just for privacy reasons, but to promote safety.
6. Lock Your Doors
You should always lock your doors, of course, but you can take extra steps to ensure intruders can’t get into your truck. For instance, you can loop your seatbelt through the door handle so that if someone were to happen to unlock your truck they can’t get in; the door won’t pull open. You can also set a large, heavy item in the passenger seat (like a cooler).
7. Stay on the Phone with a Trusted Person
If you’re in an area where you feel particularly unsafe and you have to walk to and from the truck stop, either check in with people or stay on the phone with them.
For instance, you can call a loved one or trusted individual to check in with them and let them know where you are. Send your GPS location if you’re able. Then tell them how long you’ll be in the truck stop and when you plan to call them again after you’re safely in your truck.
You can also always stay on the phone with someone as you’re walking to and from the truck stop or rest stop.
8. Take Self Defense Classes
If you’re able, taking self-defense classes is a great protection tool. It’ll teach you great self-defense strategies to help you if you’re ever in a sticky situation. It can also just help you feel more protected and confident.
9. Carry Bug Spray
You may not be able to carry pepper spray on you, but other items work just as well. Hairspray and bug spray are both great options because they spray farther than pepper spray and you don’t have to get as close to a would-be attacker.
10. Look Under Your Truck and In Before you Get in
You should always be aware of your surroundings. That means paying attention to the shadows in the parking lot — not just figures coming close — to see if someone is approaching you.
Inspect your truck before you get into it. Before you get into your truck, ensure no one is hiding under your truck or trailer. They can grab your ankles and trip you up.
Keep Yourself Safe in All Situations
As a truck driver, you’re unfortunately more prone to being victims of scams and you may experience sketchy situations as you travel from location to location.
If you ever feel uncomfortable about a particular area, talk to your driver manager first to see if you can avoid driving there.
Being prepared is the key here. By following the tips and tricks, you can promote your personal safety and prevent some bad situations from occurring. Avoid being distracted and overstimulated when you’re by yourself in locations you’re not familiar with. Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Protecting your personal safety is just as important as implementing safe driving behaviors when you’re behind the wheel. Follow these safe driving tips to avoid an accident.