When moving to a new home, transporting all of your personal belongings can be a challenging task due to the amount of work that’s involved. One of the main tasks that you’ll have to do is transport all of your furniture and moving boxes with a large moving truck on the road. These vehicles can be challenging to operate. If you want to avoid an accident while sitting behind the wheel, there are a few road safety tips to follow for your next move.

1. Dramatically Increase Your Stopping Distance

There are half a million trucking accidents a year involving vehicles of this size, which can often be due to a lack of distance from other vehicles on the road. Many people don’t realize how long it takes for moving trucks to come to a complete stop, which makes it necessary to increase your stopping distance dramatically. Remember to take your time and have patience. If you want, practice stopping on an empty stretch of road where you won’t impede traffic. This can give you a better feel for how the vehicle handles. 

2. Get Help When Backing Up

Ask another person for help when you need to back up due to a lack of visibility with multiple blind spots present. You’ll also need to check numerous times for objects or people that are in the way. UPack recommends keeping the windows down to listen for any sounds that indicate something is in the way.

3. Make Wide Turns

Your turns need to be wider than usual because the truck will require more space to turn compared to a standard passenger car. Slow down as much as possible and even come to a complete stop if it’s a tricky turn with a lot of objects nearby. Put the turn signals on and use your mirrors to get an idea of how much space you have to work with while turning the truck. Make the turn wider than you’re used to, which will reduce the risk of a collision.

4. Make Sure You Have Insurance

No matter how safe you are, there’s always a possibility of an accident occurring. So in addition to practicing safe driving, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate coverage in the event of an accident. States have different requirements when it comes to insurance. David Christensen Law recommends having comprehensive, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage even when your state doesn’t require it. This will ensure that you are covered in case an accident does occur.

Let the Professionals Help

The easiest and safest way to move your items is to hire a professional company to help with transporting everything. You can rely on qualified movers who are experienced in operating moving trucks to protect your valuables and avoid an accident. These companies train or vet drivers who have the skill set to drive large vehicles. 

When you’re moving to a new home, how you drive the moving truck will determine if it’s a smooth and easy move or if complications can arise due to a collision. With the right steps followed, you can use more caution and protect yourself, as well as other motorists on the road.