From installing a back camera to help you maneuver in crowded environments to keeping up with regular maintenance on your truck, every precaution can prevent disaster. Here are food truck driving safety tips you can use to make each commute safer for yourself, employees, and customers.
Install a Back Camera
When you’re managing a food truck, every bit of space matters. And let’s face it, food trucks aren’t exactly easy to maneuver, especially in tight urban environments or packed festival grounds. That’s where a back camera (or rearview camera) can make all the difference.
Installing a back camera on your truck isn’t just about convenience—it’s a serious safety upgrade. These trucks often have limited visibility due to their size, kitchen setup, and design, making it difficult to see what’s behind when reversing or parking. A back cam gives you a clear view of blind spots, allowing you to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles, especially in busy areas.
Food truck setups frequently involve backing into tight spaces or navigating around crowds, and one wrong move could not only damage the truck but also injure someone or damage property. As Richard Willis, Owner of M&R Specialty Trailers and Trucks says, “You don’t want to take a chance on scraping up your truck or worse, hurting someone just because you couldn’t see what was behind you.”
Beyond preventing accidents, a back cam also helps avoid costly repairs. A food truck isn’t just a vehicle—it’s your business. So, minimizing damage to the truck (and keeping your insurance premiums low) should be a priority. Plus, with a clearer view of your surroundings, you can park more efficiently, saving time during setups and takedowns at events.
In the world of mobile food, every little safety feature can have a big impact, and a back camera is one investment that pays off in peace of mind.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Without a well-functioning vehicle, you risk the safety of your business and everyone on the road. Jordan Schild of Powerhouse Food Truck Builders emphasizes the importance of regular upkeep: “Inspecting your vehicle before each trip isn’t optional—it’s your first line of defense against costly breakdowns and accidents.”
One of the most vital components to monitor? Your brakes. Food trucks carry heavy equipment and supplies, making properly functioning brakes essential. Learn to check for worn brake pads, listen for unusual noises, and pay attention to how your brake pedal feels. A soft or spongy pedal is a red flag, meaning it’s time for a repair. “Failing to address brake issues early could result in longer stopping times, or worse, total brake failure,” Schild warns.
Beyond brakes, other basic maintenance tasks can keep your truck running smoothly and safely:
- Tire checks: Inspect tires regularly for wear, proper inflation, and low tread. Under-inflated tires can lead to poor handling and increase the risk of blowouts, especially with a fully loaded truck.
- Fluid levels: Keep an eye on your oil, coolant, and transmission fluid levels. Running low on these essential fluids can cause engine overheating or transmission failure—issues you definitely don’t want to face during a busy lunch rush.
- Lights and signals: Ensure headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are all in working order. Not only does this keep you safe at night, but it also helps avoid fines and accidents.
“Food trucks are more than just mobile kitchens,” Schild reminds us. “They’re complex vehicles that need just as much care as the food you’re serving.”
By performing regular maintenance and inspections, you can avoid larger, costlier issues down the road, ensuring your truck—and your business—keeps rolling safely.
Be Aware of Your “No-Zone”
When driving a food truck, your blind spots—or “No-Zones”—are larger and more dangerous than those of regular vehicles. These No-Zones represent areas where other drivers might not realize they’re invisible to you, especially when merging, turning, or stopping. Be hyper-aware of these blind spots on all sides of your truck, particularly on the right side, which is the largest. “One-third of all crashes between trucks and cars occur in the No-Zone,” meaning the consequences of a missed blind spot can be severe. Keep an eye on your mirrors, signal early, and make gradual lane changes to reduce the risk of accidents in these high-danger areas.
Always Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is even more crucial when driving a truck. Given the size and weight of your food truck, it requires significantly more time and space to come to a complete stop. If you rear-end someone, regardless of the circumstances, you’re typically considered at fault.
Use the advantage of your elevated driving position to scan the road ahead and anticipate sudden braking situations. This foresight can give you the extra seconds you need to stop safely. Aim to keep at least a four-second gap between your truck and the car in front, increasing that distance in bad weather or heavy traffic.
Wear Your Seatbelt
Buckle up—not just for safety but for control. In a food truck, every moment on the road is a risk, and wearing a seat belt is your first line of defense. A seat belt keeps you securely in your seat, allowing you to maintain control of the truck, even in unexpected situations. Jordan Schild of Powerhouse Food Truck Builders emphasizes, “Your seat belt isn’t just about surviving a crash; it’s about preventing one.”
One of the leading causes of fatalities in truck crashes is being ejected from the vehicle. The force of a crash can easily throw an unbelted driver out of their seat, leaving the truck completely out of control and increasing the risk of serious injury or death. According to safety data, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 45% in trucks and large vehicles?.
So before you start the engine, fasten your seatbelt—it’s one of the easiest yet most impactful safety measures you can take
Regularly Inspect Propane Tanks
The explosion of the Motley Crews Heavy Metal Grill food truck in Lakeville serves as a stark reminder of the importance of propane tank safety in mobile food operations. The blast, which damaged 11 neighboring homes and launched debris up to 500 feet, was caused by the ignition of propane gas within the truck. While the exact cause of the ignition remains unknown, this incident highlights several critical points about propane safety in food trucks.
As Lakeville Fire Chief Mike Meyer put it, “We are fortunate that nobody was injured.” Meyer’s immediate action to turn off the propane valve suggests that leaving a propane system active when it’s not in use can significantly increase the risk of explosions. According to the investigation, a propane manifold valve and griddle controls were left in the “on” position, possibly allowing gas to accumulate inside the truck.
The incident also underscores the dangers of storing and operating food trucks in residential areas without proper precautions. While owner Marty Richie was not home at the time, the food truck had been parked in his driveway, violating local ordinances. Electrical appliances inside the truck may have acted as ignition sources, further highlighting the need for vigilance in both gas and electrical system management.
Ensuring that propane systems are regularly inspected and properly turned off when not in use is vital for avoiding these types of accidents. Even a minor leak or an unattended valve can lead to catastrophic results, as seen in this case. Meyer’s investigation found that even a “minuscule” leak could result in a dangerous event.
The Motley Crews explosion serves as a warning that food truck operators must take propane safety seriously. Regular inspections, turning off valves when the truck is not in use, and adhering to local regulations about storage and operation are crucial steps to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
Take it Slow
Defensive driving is crucial for food truck operators, not only to protect their vehicles and equipment but also to prevent accidents that could cause serious injuries or fatalities. Aggressive driving behaviors like speeding and tailgating significantly increase the risk of fatal crashes. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 12,151 speeding-related deaths in 2022, underscoring just how dangerous this behavior can be?.
For food truck operators, who are often driving larger, heavier vehicles, the stakes are even higher. These trucks have longer stopping distances and are more difficult to maneuver than regular cars, meaning a single aggressive action can result in severe consequences. Whether it’s speeding to get to a new location or tailgating in traffic, these behaviors amplify the risk of accidents, especially in crowded urban environments.
By maintaining a safe speed, keeping a reasonable distance from other vehicles, and staying alert to potential hazards, food truck operators can avoid becoming part of these alarming statistics. Defensive driving isn’t just about avoiding tickets—it’s about protecting lives, including your own and those of your customers.
Be the professional on the highway and at safety events! Help stranded motorists; notify traffic safety agencies of crashes, unsafe drivers, unsafe roadway conditions, and other situations that can lead to crashes. Your participation in public safety events and your performance on the highway can change public perception!
Did we miss any driving safety tips for food truck owners? We’d love to hear your ideas. Share them below or on social media.
