The lighting system on heavy goods vehicles plays an important role in ensuring that the vehicle transports the cargo safely to its destination without putting other road users at risk. People undergoing heavy vehicle training, therefore, receive instruction on how to conduct periodic checks on the lighting system. This article discusses some of those important checks that trainees are taught to conduct.
Attachment of Lights
People undergoing heavy vehicle training are usually advised to move the lights gently in all directions in order to confirm that those lights are properly attached to their anchorage points on the vehicle. This simple check can be crucial in averting potential accidents that would have occurred in the case of a motorist following the heavy truck rams into a truck whose brake light got loose and dropped off without the knowledge of the heavy truck's driver.
Brightness of the Lights
You may also be told to periodically check the brightness of the various lights, such as the headlights, on a heavy goods vehicle. This check can help you to detect which light is not as bright as it should be. Such a discovery can help you to replace or adjust any defect that you see regarding the brightness of any of the lights. In this way, you will be able to avoid any issues, such as citations for violating traffic laws, while you drive that heavy vehicle.
Integrity of Lenses
Trainees who would like to obtain heavy vehicle licenses are also taught to be alert for any problem on the lenses of lights. For example, you may be taught to observe the lenses of the different lights in order to establish whether they have any damage that can allow water to enter into that light. Any damage that is discovered should be rectified immediately since such a light can fail while you are driving the heavy vehicle. This may result in an accident, such as those that can take place when the driver can't see clearly once a light fails due to moisture ingress.
Retracting Headlight Bases
Some heavy vehicles are equipped with retracting headlight bases or shutters. A driver should check that those retracting bases or shutters move properly so that the performance of those lights isn't affected by malfunctioning shutters and bases. Trainees are taught how to test the performance of those headlight bases or shutters properly.
Heavy vehicle training does not cover the performance of lights only. Many other aspects, such as how to secure loads appropriately, are covered during that training programme. You should, therefore, undergo the comprehensive truck driver training so that you can be equipped with the skills that will prepare you to succeed in your career as a truck driver.
