Three Safety Hazards to Watch for this Spring

Safety is one of the most essential pieces of our mission at Eagle Transport. From safe terminal operations to safe maintenance practices and safe drivers operating our trucks, we know that safe operations avoid risks.

You don’t have to be a professional driver to take safety seriously! Anyone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can take the proper precautions to help everyone on the road stay safe as they travel to their destination.

Here are a few tips to stay safe on the road this spring:

Sunrise and Sunset

A new season always brings a shift in the way the sun impacts your vision when driving your routes. We encourage polarized sunglasses that protect your eyes at all angles to ensure maximum visibility in the brightest parts of the day.

When dealing with the sun’s impact on your vision, so are the other cars driving around you. Watch for sudden braking or brake taps to signal that a driver has momentarily lost their vision of the road. If drivers are experiencing this simultaneously, you can see brief backups and even accidents, so you will want to consider these reaction times when assessing your following distance.

Spring Showers

We all know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” but picturing those May flowers doesn’t make driving in those afternoon downpours any better! We recommend checking the forecast and ensuring your windshield wipers are in good condition before heading out when you see rain on the radar. If you can listen to the local radio during any spring storm, you may hear alerts about flooded roads, downed trees, traffic, or any other potential hazards on your route.

Watch for standing water, especially during bright parts of the day. When the sun hits a puddle at the wrong angle, the reflection can make it difficult to see for a split second, causing motorists to react and hit their brakes. Consider this when judging your following distance to consider potential brake taps and slowdowns from the cars around you.

Seasonal Allergies

If you know you suffer from seasonal allergies, we encourage you to work with your healthcare provider to ensure you have the best treatment plan for managing those allergies. We all know how debilitating it can be to struggle with the excessive sneezing, watery eyes, itchy nose, and brain fog that can settle over you during the transition into spring and summer.

Make sure you are ready to combat those symptoms and care for yourself during your shift. You can add tissues, decongestants, quick-acting allergy medication, eye drops, and more to your bag of essentials before you hit the road. Talk with your healthcare provider about the items to help you manage your seasonal allergies this spring. Contact our safety department if you have questions regarding taking medication while driving.

There are many layers to safety on the road throughout the year. We encourage all motorists to take proper care of their vehicles to ensure safe operation and follow all posted traffic control signs to avoid risks. Distractions have no place for a driver operating a motor vehicle – from a car to a tractor-trailer. Remember that distractions can be visual, manual, or cognitive, and ensure you avoid all three!

Please do your part to help us be the best and SOAR by taking road safety seriously every time you get behind the wheel of a car!