Driving a truck could be a monotonous task, and it’s easy to lose concentration if care is not taken. That’s why it is important that you take breaks now and then on your way. And this is why we have truck stops.
But unfortunately, what was originally designed as a safe place for truck drivers to take a break from the monotony of the road isn’t always quite so anymore.
Despite the presence of potential dangers in many of these truck stops, however, you can’t completely decide to not take a break, especially if you’re on a long journey (the law won't allow it) This means you might have to use the truck stop whether you like it or not. So, how do you stay safe at truck stops?
Why Are Truck Stops Dangerous?
Truck stops can be considered dangerous due to poor lighting conditions, the risk of damage to a vehicle caused by heavy traffic in tight parking conditions, and the possibility of theft from a lack of security.
Dangerous truck stops often have the following in common:
- Prostitutes and pimps
- Thieves
- Sexual predators
- Scammers
- High Accident rates
However, not all truck stops are dangerous. A well-maintained truck stop often has security teams that make sure that the premise is safe for innocent truckers who just want to grab a bite as they take a break from the road.
Another reason truck stops could have safety issues is because some trucks are longer than the allotted parking space for each truck. This then leaves other trucks with trouble fitting into what little space is left after a large truck is parked. The chances of accidental collisions can skyrocket.
Are Truck Stops Safe To Sleep At?
Having laid the foundation that truck stops are only as safe as they are maintained, the next question is if you should sleep at a truck stop?
Truck stops are private lots with designated parking locations used by leisurely road trippers and commercial truck drivers. It is perfectly safe to park at a truck stop to sleep and rest for a reasonable amount of time.
Truck drivers should always be aware of their surroundings. Make sure to keep all your belongings safe or locked somewhere safe at all times.
Before you go park at a truck stop to sleep, make sure your truck has all the amenities you need to stay comfortable by reading this breakdown we wrote called: Where Do Truckers Sleep?
Sometimes you may get lucky enough to arrive at an empty truck stop like the one shown here.
Trucker Daily Poll:
We asked 250 Truck Drivers: What is your favorite Truck-stop brand for all around fuel, showers and breaks?
Here are the results from the 231 who participated:
| Truck Stop | Number of Votes | % Of Sample |
| Loves | 110 | 48% |
| Petro/TA | 60 | 26% |
| Flying J/Pilot | 44 | 19% |
| Sapp | 7 | 3% |
| Other | 6 | 3% |
| Celina 52 | 1 | 0.43% |
| "Mom & Pop" Truckstops | 3 | 1% |
| Total | 231 |
We polled 250 Drivers. 231 participated sharing their favorite truck stops. Poll was taken on Facebook.com
10 Tips On Staying Safe At Truck Stops
When you pull your truck into a truck stop, it is not yet the time to relax completely and throw all caution into the wind. Instead, keep these tips on staying safe at truck stops at the back of your mind as you take your break:
1. Plan your route
Before you set out at all in your truck, plan your route and make sure to put truck stops into your plan. Plan your route so that you only have to stop at the safe and spacious truck stop, and that every stop at a truck stop is calculated and intentional.
2. Stay smart and alert
A vice of many truck stops is the abundance of scammers, con artists, and people whose only intention is to trick you into giving them your money. They’ll often come to you with charming smiles and hope to talk you into doing something that might earn you more money on the spot. But instead of earning more money from them, you’ll only end up losing your money.
There are two ways to handle this. You could either try to match their wits and play along with their game. But remember that they aren’t only dishonest, but also experts at being dishonest. And if you let them, they will trick every last penny out of you. This leaves you with just one option: avoid them at all costs. Refuse to play their game and reduce your interaction with them.
3. Lock up valuables
Many truck stops are known to be breeding grounds for thieves who’ll take the first opportunity to rob you of your valuables. So, when you have a business outside of your cab at the truck stop, make sure you lock up all your valuables in the truck. Only take the things you need with you when stepping out of the cab because some of these thieves are indecent enough to rob you with some sort of weapon.
4. Park in spacious areas
The areas with the most space in a truck stop are the areas at the back. Truck stops often accommodate a lot of tired travelers who want to park their trucks in the first space they find. And because they’re tired, they may not be very careful enough while parking. This increases the chances of accidents happening, and you don’t want to be involved. So, take your truck away from the traffic hotspot and go to that spacious area at the back of the truck stop.
Another traffic hotspot in truck stops is the ends of rows. Trucks are always on the move across you, and this puts you at the risk of an accidental collision.
Another advantage of parking at a spacious area in the truck stop is that it leaves you in clear sight of other truck drivers. This could discourage some idiots who are up to no good from coming too close to you in the open.
Truck stops can have very tight parking spaces increasing the risk of damage to your vehicle while pulling in and out.
5. Look for well-lit parking spots
In addition to parking in spacious areas, make sure that wherever you park is well lit. The light leaves no darkness for some dangerous, ill-meaning individuals to lurk and attack you from. The light also helps you see around you clearly as you park your truck.
6. Avoid backing out of your spots
Parking where you’ll have back out of could increase the chances of accidental collision with a truck in your blind spot. Instead, park where your cab is facing outwards or where you can back into. But if you’ve parked unavoidably where you would have to back out of the parking space, ask another driver to be your spotter.
Similarly, try to park where you’re not sitting across a truck that has to back out of its parking space if you don’t want them to accidentally collide with your truck.
7. Take note of the trucks around you
You shouldn’t just park your truck next to any kind of truck. Steer clear of those trucks that are parked crookedly. Also, avoid trucks that are finding it hard to stay within their allotted space unless absolutely unavoidable. And then jot down the DOT numbers and names on the trucks around you. This way, you know who to call in the case of an unfortunate event
8. Carry protection
Sometimes, it may not be enough to entrust your safety to only safety tips. You may need to take a more active role in keeping yourself safe. And this may include carrying personal protective equipment like pepper sprays.
Be careful, however, when you’re carrying any protective equipment. You don’t want to accidentally hurt yourself in your bid to protect yourself.
9. Ensure that the parking brake is active
Ensuring that your parking brake is active is one way to ensure you, your truck, other truck drivers, and their trucks are all safe, especially if you have some mechanical work to do on your truck.
If you fail to engage your parking brake and your heavy truck starts to drift away from you, it would take a lot of effort to stop it before an accident happens.
10. Inspect Your Surroundings Before Pulling Out
By the time you’re ready to leave the truck stop, take a walk around your truck before pulling out. Inspect your truck to see that everything is in order, see if there has been any truck that hasn’t been any truck that has parked crookedly beside you, obstructing you from pulling out safely. Ask the driver of the crooked truck to re-park if you must. Also, be on the lookout for pedestrians.
Some truck stops feature gas stations, showers and dining areas where truck drivers and road trippers can relax, wind down and refuel. Photo Credit:©mungkhoodyo/123RF.COM
Conclusion
Staying safe at truck stops can be very easy if you know what to look out for. You just have to plan the truck stops you’ll be stopping at before you begin your journey. Know the best places to park, and what to avoid in truck stops. Do all these and you should be safe.
Never be embarrassed or hesitate to ask for help when you need it.