While the 4th of July holiday will be a long weekend for many in our country, it may not be the case for truck drivers. As your drivers prepare for pick-ups and deliveries this weekend, make sure they are taking these six things into consideration while sharing the road with holiday travelers.

• Be hyper aware. While it’s important to practice safe driving habits on a regular basis, be hyper aware this weekend. The roads will be crowded with travelers hitting the highway to celebrate with friends and family. Take extra precaution in congested areas and allot plenty of time for getting to and from your destination.
• Keep your eye on the prize. Cargo theft is higher during these busy weekends, so try to avoid leaving loaded trailers unattended. Using a fleet management system equipped with GPS is a great way to actively monitor your trucks and trailers.
• Maintenance. Being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of summer is already a pain. During the Fourth of July festivities, it’ll take mechanics and tow trucks twice as long to help you at roadside. Make sure you’re doing pre-and post-trip inspections to avoid unnecessary delays on an already crowded weekend. Implementing electronic DVIRs is a great way to stay on top of drivers and keep your vehicles in tip-top shape.
• Slow down. Utilize fleet management tools like Driver Insights to identify places where drivers typically speed. Use automated notifications for drivers that are over-speeding so you can proactively coach with regular check-ins.
• Plan for efficiency, but give extra time. Use geofences to understand if drivers are getting held up at load sites longer than usual. Plan your route and allot extra time.
• Have fun, and enjoy the fireworks (but make sure to pull over safely to do so).

As we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, we hope you enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends. We know the work doesn’t stop and appreciate  you and your drivers’ commitment to getting our goods and services from point A to point B.

From our family to yours, have a safe 4th of July!