Remember – check your brakes before each journey

As an HGV driver, it is advisable that you check your brakes before each journey.  Safety checks will often be covered in your HGV training but it is important not to forget them once you begin work. If your vehicle has air brakes, you should listen for the hiss of air leaks or low pressures indicated on the dashboard gauges. With hydraulic braking systems, you should inspect the fluid level at the reservoir.

For instance, if your HGV or LGV is equipped with ABS brakes and has a trailer, you need to check that the system is connected and working correctly. You should establish whether your vehicle’s braking system has a manual or automatic draining system. If it has a manual system, you should know whose responsibility it is for draining the braking system, and ensure that it is done regularly. This is especially important during cold weather as it may prevent ice forming in the system.

Planning journeys and anticipating road hazards will help remove the need for harsh braking that can lead to the loss of control of the vehicle. Therefore, if your vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes and you find yourself in an emergency situation, apply maximum force to the brake pedal and maintain the force. All in all, the brake pedal should not be pumped as this will reduce the effectiveness of the braking system.

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