Walking the tightrope: 5 tips to improve a driver's personal security
April 16, 2024
As if drivers didn’t have enough to deal with, they need to keep their own security in mind every time they get out of the truck. Working in unfamiliar and isolated locations, hostile customers, road rage—and that’s not to mention the threat of targeted attacks by thieves. But, at the same time, they are supposed to be professional, agreeable and customer-oriented. Balancing both of those can feel like walking a tightrope: too much on one side and customers may accuse them of being standoff-ish and rude—too much on the other and they open themselves up to being taken advantage of.
Carriers need to ensure that drivers are equipped with the right kind of training to keep them safe in all sorts of situations, against an array of possible threats. To help, here are 5 things drivers should be aware of to improve their personal security:
- Different kinds of threats
- Situational awareness
- Body language
- Staying safe on the road
- De-escalation
Different kinds of threats
Before drivers can get a handle on how to protect themselves, they’ll need to know where potential threats are coming from. There is a big risk to their personal security when it comes to cargo theft—they should assume that thieves who are willing to go after the cargo are also going to pose a danger to them personally if it means getting what they want. But they aren’t the only threat out there:
- Sex workers: they may be used by bad actors to gain access to the vehicle, potentially putting drivers at risk.
- Other drivers: threatening behavior from other drivers on the road or at truck stops also presents a danger.
- Protests: being caught in a protest can be dangerous and frightening, so drivers should be kept up to date on the carrier's policies for avoidance or sheltering in place
Situational awareness
Situational awareness means being aware of what is happening around you so you can identify when something is a threat. It also means taking precautions so you don’t seem like a good target for bad behavior. Drivers should inspect their vehicles for signs of tampering after each time they stop, and lock their doors every time—even if they are only away from the truck for a few minutes (and remember to keep cash and valuables out of sight). They should make sure their cell phone is charged and wear bright-colored clothing to make themselves more visible. And above all else, drivers should trust their instincts. If something is telling them that an area is unsafe, they should leave as quickly as they can.
Body language
People can seem like easier targets (like they will put up less of a fight) if they walk with their heads down and shoulders hunched as if they are trying to be invisible. By simply altering their body language to project confidence, drivers can discourage unwanted attention. Drivers can do this by walking with their back straight and shoulders back, keeping their hands out of their pockets and their eyes forward (which, oddly enough, is how you walk on an actual tightrope).
Staying safe on the road
While drivers may be safer when they are out on the road, there are still some situations to be aware of. Staged accidents may be used to get the driver to pull over and get out of their truck or, more commonly, someone may cause a collision on purpose with the intention of claiming to be the victim so they can sue the carrier. Maintaining a safe driving distance is one way to reduce the risk. Drivers should also be aware of areas with weak cell signals—thieves may see these areas as prime opportunities to act. Carriers might consider providing drivers with a cell signal booster or a satellite phone if such areas are a regular part of their route.
De-escalation
Even though they did everything right to avoid one, there may come a point when a driver finds themselves in a threatening situation. The first response should be to leave the situation and call 911 if there is an emergency. But if they can’t remove themselves safely, there are ways of de-escalating a potential conflict. Maintaining eye contact but keeping your tone and body language neutral is one way of not provoking the other person further. Keeping your voice low, refraining from pointing or gesturing and using active listening can also lower the temperature of a confrontation. If someone is angry about something the driver did (maybe cutting the other person off on the road), expressing empathy for the other person’s feelings can also have a calming effect.
Having healthy lines of communication between your drivers, safety managers and dispatch can go a long way to keeping people informed about areas, customers or situations to watch out for. But investing in personal security training for your drivers will also help them find the right balance between being professional, courteous and approachable and staying safe.