As a semi-truck driver, you have to drive every day on highways. You will be aware of how important it is to keep up with regular maintenance on your truck. No matter how much you take care of your vehicle, anything can happen during your ride. Sometimes, you might have to deal with flat tires, or maybe your truck broke down on the road. This type of situation on a hazardous highway can be frightening, especially when your semi-truck suddenly breaks down while driving. However, knowing the appropriate steps to take can ensure your safety and minimize downtime.
Here’s a guide to help you go through such incidents effectively.
Ensure Immediate Safety
If your truck has broken down during the drive, the first thing you should do is to ensure immediate safety. You should try to park your semi-truck in a safe place. It might seem hard to move your semi-truck in such a situation, but you should at least try to move your vehicle over to the side of the road, preferably on a wide shoulder or designated pull-off area. On the other hand, you should activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers. You can set up warning devices like reflective triangles or flares behind your truck at intervals of 50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet to warn oncoming traffic. This practice enhances visibility and safety for both you and other road users.
Contact a Trusted Mobile Semi Truck Service
When a sudden breakdown happens on the road, it’s advisable to call in mobile semi truck repair professionals. On call, you should guide them with your exact location so that they can reach you within no time. They are available for 24/7 help, and they know how to tackle these types of emergency problems. These services dispatch qualified mechanics directly to your location, which reduces the need for towing and minimizing downtime. Contacting these mobile service providers is very beneficial in such situations. They make sure you get on the road again safely and swiftly.
Stay in Your Vehicle
You should stay in your semi-truck as it’s one of the safest ways to be safe while waiting for professional help. You will always want to be at the place where your truck is parked when the professional repairers arrive. Other drivers might get distracted when they see a parked truck and could come too close. If an accident happens, you are safer inside your vehicle. You can step out of your vehicle once emergency services arrive and secure the area. However, you should make sure to give them your phone number in case they need to reach you.
Communicate with Dispatch and Update Stakeholders
If a breakdown happens, you should notify your dispatcher or fleet manager immediately. You should provide details like your location, breakdown cause, and estimated repair timeline so that they are aware of the severity of the issue and can handle your lateness in reaching your destination. If delays impact the deliveries of some necessary goods, tell your dispatcher to inform or contact your customers yourself proactively to maintain trust. You should keep all parties updated until the issue is resolved and save repair receipts for documentation for later use.
