Transporting heavy goods over long journeys

Transporting heavy goods across long distances might seem like a simple gig but, it’s no easy feat. For those who are just starting out or are considering getting into the driving industry this article is for you.

Preparation:

Preparation starts before the journey even begins. There are lots of external factors that can affect your journey. This could be as small as the weather and the route you take down to roadworks and road closures. All of which can have a significant impact on the success of your trip. Make sure to plan for everything, having a back up route is never a bad idea. It is also important to mention here how important it is to take out robust transport insurance.

Make sure you are familiar with your load as well, this a crucial aspect of planning. Knowing the dimensions and weight of the goods you are transporting will allow you to determine several elements of your journey such as your refueling strategy.

Abide By Restrictions

As someone whose most likely to be driving a large goods vehicle you need to look out for restrictions. Weight and height restrictions aren’t there to make your life more difficult, they’re there to keep you safe. Look out for signs, especially in locations where you might usually find them, such as tunnels and bridges.

Make sure to research and understand what additional restrictions you might come across. Abnormal loads need to be noted to the authorities. An abnormal load includes:

Weight more than 44,000 kg

Have an axle load over 10,000 kg for single non-driving axle or 11,500 kg for a single driving axle.

Are more than 2.9 meters wide

Are more than 18.65 meters long

Take Frequent Breaks

You may be under pressure or on a tight deadline to get goods delivered as soon as possible, however avoiding breaks is not advisable. With heavy haulage there is no margin for error.

As minimum precaution, you need to adhere to your scheduled rest periods. These are put in place to keep you safe and to ensure you are not driving whilst fatigued. It is important to take breaks whenever you feel as though your driving is being impacted by tiredness.

Along with this, it is obvious but make sure your eyes remain on the road, when driving long distances, it is easy to lose concentration, once again there is zero margin for error, it only takes a few seconds for an accident to occur.

 Security of Load

Always check the load of your vehicle especially if someone else loaded the vehicle. Load security is the driver’s responsibility. Make it good practice to check the load occasionally during your working day to make sure nothing has changed or become lose. Doing this can prevent problems that could occur further down the road.

Vehicle Checks

Similarly, to the above, checking the vehicle everyday is essential, you will probably have a checklist that you fill out or tick to say you have done it by using a defect book or phone app. This should also prevent potential vehicle issues and reduce problems further along in your journey. 

All the above and many more steps can be taken by long haulage drivers. Make sure to keep up to date with road guidance and stay safe out there.