With long hours on the road you get accustomed to speed. In the comfortable cabin you almost don’t feel it. In the meantime, speed over the limit, or not adequate for the road conditions is one of the top reasons for fatal crashes and serious injuries.

As much as you want to get somewhere faster, speeding is hardly a way to do it. More efficient work is easier achieved by better planning and knowing the route. 

Let’s look at the most common challenges related to speed on the road. 

The road speed limit

The maximum speed on the roads is regulated by law and may vary from country to country, from state to state. The speed limit in specific areas is calculated based on statistics involving accidents and ties into the general rules in the country or state. If you are crossing the border often it is good to remember that the speed limits may be different and it is your responsibility to know it.

Moreover, the speed limit for freight trucks may be different from the allowed speed for other vehicles. For example, while in California the regular traffic is capped at 70 mph, trucks can not go over 55mph.

In a dry sunny weather and road with little traffic, the speed limit might look a bit on the lower side. But don’t forget that all the dangerous situations on the road come out of nowhere – like debris, cars losing control right in front of you, a deer crossing the road, any type of malfunction, flat tire. The speed limit is calculated so that it gives the truck reasonable time to slow down and stop.  

Driving according to the road conditions 

This is where the true experience and skill of the driver comes in.  Any of these road conditions require special attention:

• Rainy weather
• Ice on the roads
• Traffic
• Fog and low visibility

In any of these conditions you have to make sure that you have full control of the truck if you need to slow down or break. Even if you are confident on the road, there are other drivers right next to you with varying levels of driving skills. 

Remember not to slam the breaks when you hit the slippery patch. Lower the speed and steer gently in the direction of movement onto the ice free part of the road. 

Speed in construction zones

Construction zones are clearly marked and speed limits are clearly posted. When driving in construction zones you have to be mindful of road workers. Look out for gravel, metal plate covers, and debris. Moreover, construction areas change quickly, even if you passed it a few days ago, it may look different next time.

You also have to anticipate merging road traffic and changing lane outlines. The speeding fines in construction zones are higher than on the road, as the risks are much higher. 

Using cruise control

Cruise control was designed to keep the steady speed of a vehicle without an effort on the driver’s part. It is also helping to save fuel. 

But many trucking companies do not allow its use and for a few good reasons: many drivers tend to use it when the road conditions and road traffic is not suitable, and it is difficult to react fast when the road situation suddenly changes, especially if you were driving for a while.

If you are driving for a company that allow cruise control, it is still prohibited to use when:

• The road conditions are bad
• Active traffic, rush hour
• Ice or snow on the road
• A lot of uphill and downhill driving

It is a useful feature, but it requires very responsible use.

Maintaining distance

Maintaining safe distance is a very important factor in safe driving. Not only does it allow you to judge road situation better, it gives a driver a chance to react in time. The higher the speed the longer the distance should be. 

The general rule for commercial trucks – for every 10 mph, a truck length in distance should be added (i.e. 60 mph – 6 truck length). You can not maintain higher speed where you can not keep adequate distance between you and the next vehicle. 

Maintaining the calculated distance is not as easy as it seems. In urban areas the traffic does not flow evenly: it stops, picks up speed, vehicles change lanes, the roads follow uphill and downhill. This is where experience and true drivers’ skill comes in handy.

Stay safe on the roads! Maintain Safe speed at all times!