Safety Manager Tip of the Month: Speeding and Driving Too Fast for Conditions

When it comes to operating a commercial motor vehicle, speed is not just about how fast you are going – it is about how safely you can respond to what’s ahead. Driving too fast for road, weather, or traffic conditions can turn an otherwise management situation into a serious accident. For professional truck drivers, knowing when to slow down is one of the most important skills behind the wheel. Whether navigating sharp curves, entering ramps, hauling loaded trailers, or traveling through work zones, adjusting your speed can make all the difference. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers five important reminders to help drivers stay in control and arrive safely at their destinations.

TIP #1: Reduce Your Driving Speed in Adverse Road and/or Weather Conditions

Adjust your speed to safely match weather conditions, road conditions, visibility, and traffic. Excessive driving speed is a major cause of fatal crashes, and higher speeds may cause more severe crashes.

TIP #2: Enter a Curve Slowly

Speed limits posted on curve warning signs are intended for passenger vehicles, not large trucks. Large trucks should reduce their speed even further.

TIP #3: Reduce Your Speed Before Entering an Exit/Entrance Ramp

Approach an exit/entrance ramp at a safe speed. Truck rollovers are more likely to occur on exit/entrance ramps when the driver misjudges the sharpness of the ramp curve and enters the curve at an excessive speed.

TIP #4: Drive Slowly with a Loaded Trailer

Be more cautious with a loaded trailer. Loaded trailers have a higher center of gravity and sudden speed adjustment may cause the load to shift, leading to skidding or a rollover.

TIP #5: Slow Down in Work Zones

Before entering a work zone, decrease your speed, merge into the correct lane well ahead of any lane closures, and be prepared to slow down or stop suddenly. Speed increases perception-reaction distance, braking distance, and stopping distance.