Driving a lorry isn’t just another nine-to-five job. It is a skill, a responsibility and also at times a real test of patience and focus. As a lorry driver you are handling large vehicles, navigating tight time frames for deliveries and also dealing with unpredictable weather and roads. On top of all this, you need to keep safety at the front of your mind throughout the entire journey and stay aware of common driving mistakes that can lead to accidents or delays.
At Commercial Transport Training, we’ve worked with countless professional drivers across Leighton Buzzard, Aylesbury, Oxford, Luton, Milton Keynes and Bedford. And while every driver’s experience is different, there are a few common driving mistakes that come up time after time, even among the most experienced professionals.
So what’s the good news? Most of the common driving mistakes we mention in this article are easy to avoid once you know what it is you are looking for. So let’s break down 5 of the most common slip ups lorry drivers make on the job, along with some real world tips on how you can steer clear of them.
Common Driving Mistakes
1. Skipping Vehicle Checks
This mistake is top of the list as it is so simple to do but often gets overlooked and can be extremely costly when it is ignored. All HGV drivers know that they should do a proper walk around the vehicle before setting off but often when you are short of time or its bad weather it can be tempting to give it a miss.
The problem with this is those few minutes you save by not checking could then turn into hours waiting for roadside assistance when something goes wrong. Common issues that can be spotted before they become a serious problem include tyre damage, broken lights or loose couplings. According to the DVSA, a high percentage of HGV’s are pulled over during roadside checks that have defects that could have been prevented with a quick inspection before setting off.
How to avoid it:
Start by treating the walkaround as part of your daily routine, just like grabbing your morning coffee. It doesn’t have to take long but it does need to be a thorough check. If it helps you then keeping a printed or digital checklist in the cab can help make this a habit. The more consistent you are, doing these checks will soon become second nature.
At Commercial Transport Training, we emphasise this from day one. Our instructors drill it in because we’ve seen first-hand how a proper walkaround can prevent serious downtime and costly fines.
2. Poor Time Management
Even seasoned drivers get caught out by this. You plan your route and think you have got plenty of time and then all of a sudden something throws you off schedule. Before you know it, you need to rush to make up the time and start cutting corners.
Poor time management is one of those common driving mistakes that leads to a domino effect of stress, fatigue, and riskier decisions behind the wheel.
How to avoid it:
Build realistic buffer times into your day. It’s rare that things will always go exactly to plan so its best to allow for traffic, loading time and your breaks. Using up to date route planning apps and checking live traffic updates before you set off will help you know if there’s any bumps in the road which might set you behind schedule.
However it’s important to remember that if you are running late, don’t panic. Communication in this situation is key, let dispatch or the customer know straight away. It’s always better to arrive safe than in a rush and regretting it.
3. Ignoring Rest and Fatigue
Every driver knows that feeling – eyes getting heavy, brain slowing down but always thinking ‘I’ll just keep going a bit longer’ this one of the most common driving mistakes that can be made and also one of the most dangerous. It’s not just about feeling sleepy, it’s the effects this has on your brain. Fatigue will dull your reaction time, impact your judgement and reduce your focus. The DVSA and National Highways both list fatigue as one of the leading causes of serious road accidents that involve HGV’s.
How to avoid it:
The best way you can avoid fatigue is using your rest breaks properly. Getting proper rest isn’t just about sleeping well at night, it is about pacing yourself through the day. To do this it is best to get out of the cab, stretch, eat or if needed take a short nap.
If you feel like you are regularly feeling tired behind the wheel, it is probably a good idea to look at your sleep habits, diet or your schedule.
4. Poor Load Securing
You’d be surprised how often this one comes up in training sessions. A load that isn’t properly secured can shift in transit and even a small movement can make a big difference to how your lorry handles. Not only does it put the load at risk, but it can throw off your balance, especially on corners or roundabouts.
Poor load securing is one of those common driving mistakes that’s easy to underestimate, but it can lead to serious safety issues, damage claims, and penalties.
How to avoid it:
Always double check your load security before setting off, even if someone else did the loading you will want to check you are happy before heading off. Make sure that the straps, nets or restraints are all properly secured and tightened as well as making sure that the weight is evenly distributed.
If you are ever unsure, ask for a second opinion. It’s not about mistrust, it is about safety.
5. Not Communicating Effectively
Something that is easy to overlook includes communication. Communication can make a massive difference on ensuring a smooth delivery day. Communicating any problems you have with a vehicle such as a small fault or forgetting to tell the office you have been delayed may seem like small things but miscommunication can not only impact your day but others as well.
Poor communication nearly always leads to confusion, delays and frustration on all sides. But despite this it is actually one of the most avoidable common driving mistakes out there.
How to avoid it:
Keep it as simple as you can, if something changes then let people know. Whether it’s with dispatch, maintenance or a client contact a quick call or message will keep everyone in the loop to ensure nothing is missed.
On top of this, don’t hesitate to speak up if something isn’t right, that could be unclear instructions, a recurring issue with your vehicle or an access problem. The more information that is shared means things will run smoother and other people will be happier to work with you.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day no driver is perfect, everyone makes mistakes now and then. But the thing that separates a good driver from a great one is how they learn from those experiences and make small improvements in their day to day routine.
At Commercial Transport Training, we’ve trained thousands of drivers across the South East and Midlands to obtain their C1 and C2 licences. However one thing is always clear: the best drivers are the ones who take pride in their work and doing it properly.
Avoiding these common driving mistakes doesn’t just make your job easier, it also keeps you, your vehicle and everyone else on the road safe. Whether you are new to the industry or have years of experience behind the wheel, keeping these five points in mind will make every journey run a bit more smoothly, safely and more professionally.
If you are looking to build your confidence or take the next step in your driving career, get in touch with our team at Commercial Transport Training. With our experienced instructors, local expertise and tailored HGV and CPC training we can help you before the kind of driver that every company wants on their team.
