How to Be a Safer Emergency Vehicle Driver
When you’re behind the wheel of an emergency vehicle, other commuters look to you to not only set a good example, but also keep them safe, whether you’ve stopped to help someone in distress or you’re on the way to the next call. So when an emergency vehicle finds themselves in their own accident, not only can it be dangerous for everyone involved, but it can put you and the vehicle out of commission. More seriously, it’s the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the emergency response field. During these difficult times, we need everyone to be ready to help one another, especially our colleagues on the front lines.
That’s why we’ve compiled some of the top suggestions for safer driving when operating an emergency vehicle. You can also talk to us here at Truck Defender Bumpers about getting reinforced aluminum emergency vehicle bumpers for your fleet of vehicles, especially if you work primarily in rural areas across North America.
Mitigating Driver Error
There’s little you can do to mitigate the behavior of aggressive or inattentive drivers in other vehicles, so make sure you’re checking your own behaviors.
Yes, you need to hurry to your destination, whether you’re responding to a distress call or transporting a patient to the ER, but it doesn’t do anyone any good if your own aggressive driving creates even more incidents on the way there. If the vehicles around you are behaving erratically, slow down, especially when passing through intersections.
In certain cases, harsh braking increased the odds of a vehicular accident, which means that even as you’re traveling quickly, you’ll still need to give yourself plenty of time to stop and slow down. Your emergency vehicle won’t stop the way your sedan or truck does.
Inclement weather can also lead to risky situations. If it’s snowy or icy, make sure all your vehicles have chains and everyone driving reduces their speed and proceeds into all calls with greater caution.
If you manage a fleet of emergency vehicles, or a group of drivers, make sure everyone is properly trained and regularly retrained to ensure everyone is working with the same, most up-to-date skills. The bigger the vehicle, the more important this will be.
Take Care of Yourself
We wanted to give this its own highlighted section. When you’re not feeling your best, you’re more likely to make mistakes, both behind the wheel and on the job. Worst of all, you may not realize you’re not making good choices when you’re fatigued. As stressful and taxing as the job may be, do your best to take care of your health. Get as much rest as you can, eat right, drink lots of water, exercise, and if the job begins to take a mental toll, explore ways to address these concerns, whether through meditation, a new hobby, or even finding someone you trust whom you can talk to.
Efficient Vehicles
If the vehicle fails, then it doesn’t matter how attentive your driver is. You could still find yourself in a serious accident. If you’re a fleet manager, make sure your vehicles are regularly serviced and always have a full tank.
The vehicle also needs to adhere to all emergency vehicle guidelines that make it easier to see and hear. This includes lights, sirens, and noticeable paint jobs that keep you visible to all drivers.
Emergency vehicle designs are also constantly being improved. As more data comes in, engineers are able to offer better blueprints to manufacturers, and you might find the best way to improve safety behind the wheel is to make some strategic upgrades or even buy a new vehicle altogether.
Speaking of upgrades, one such add-on feature you might want to look into is one of our custom, aluminum emergency vehicle bumpers. These reinforced shields are lightweight and durable, so if you encounter an animal on the road, or if you need to be prepared for dangerous vehicle pursuits, these might be the perfect next investment for your vehicles. To learn more, contact us at Truck Defender Bumpers. We’ll even ship our products directly to your business, no matter where you are in North America.