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How do you not get complacent?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BeanDip, Jul 3, 2015.

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  1. Jul 3, 2015 #1
    BeanDip

    BeanDip Medium Load Member

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    This thread: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-or-killing-something-someone-go-away.289221/ prompted me to go ahead and ask....

    I've been wondering about this for a couple days. How do ya'll keep from getting complacent, as far as being a safe driver goes?

    I can put in 200 miles a day driving my 4 wheeler around for work everyday. Doesn't touch the miles you all put in, but it's more than most 4-wheelers drive daily.

    I've been paying more attention to how I drive in an effort to get rid of some bad habits, and develop some good ones. Things like blinker use, following distance, defensive driving (not letting or getting myself hemmed in), being patient, etc. Probably the most significant change is pulling off the road if I NEED to put my hands on my phone.

    ANYWAY... After years of driving, what prevents you from getting complacent, or even over confident? I see 4 wheelers tailgating at 75 mph. I doubt they did this when they first got their license, but after years of nothing happening when they tailgate, it just becomes a perfectly normal way to drive.

    Does being aware of your surroundings, and always appreciating the dangers (without paralyzing fear) become habit?

    What say you?
     
    BeanDip, Jul 3, 2015
    BeanDip, Jul 3, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 3, 2015 #2
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Just remember that a large part of the job you are paid to do is to always allow for the "idiot" factor.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 3, 2015
    MACK E-6, Jul 3, 2015
    #2
    texasbbqbest, G.Anthony and Puppage Thank this.
  4. Jul 3, 2015 #3
    bobtrucks2204

    bobtrucks2204 Light Load Member

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    Jul 23, 2014
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    If you were a carpenter you wouldn't / couldn't be complacent on where to put the studs, right?

    Driving big trucks is a dangerous job and every day, peoples lives are on the line. We can't afford to be complacent. I try to look at every day as my first and practice, practice, practice. Safety comes first
     
    bobtrucks2204, Jul 3, 2015
    bobtrucks2204, Jul 3, 2015
    #3
    BeanDip Thanks this.
  5. Jul 3, 2015 #4
    BeanDip

    BeanDip Medium Load Member

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    That's true. Hadn't thought about that way. Your job is to be safe, so that's what you do.
     
    BeanDip, Jul 3, 2015
    BeanDip, Jul 3, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 4, 2015 #5
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Learned this hauling logs. "You never know what's around the next corner. " Drive that way.
     
    okiedokie, Jul 4, 2015
    okiedokie, Jul 4, 2015
    #5
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  8. Jul 4, 2015 #6
    unholy7

    unholy7 Light Load Member

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    "complacency kills" has been drilled in my head my whole adult life from the army, and driving. the funny thing is that what makes it stick in a big truck is the fact that the majority of my friends and family drive truck and the last thing we say to each other is "stay safe out there" so i never really forget it because we wont let each other.
     
    unholy7, Jul 4, 2015
    unholy7, Jul 4, 2015
    #6
    BeanDip Thanks this.
  9. Jul 4, 2015 #7
    dog-c

    dog-c Road Train Member

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    I sometimes drive my car like a semi.....I have to switch 'modes' per se, but being a t/t driver has made me a very safe / boring driver. I irritate some people because I do the speed limits on i87. I've seen too many people die, too many accidents in my 4 year span.

    Speeding is my top peeve among 4 wheelers and especial you fellow drivers that speed In a semi. I like to chill like these folks in a convertible !
     
    dog-c, Jul 4, 2015
    dog-c, Jul 4, 2015
    #7
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  10. Jul 4, 2015 #8
    unholy7

    unholy7 Light Load Member

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    every got over to hit a scale house in your 4 wheeler? i have.
     
    unholy7, Jul 4, 2015
    unholy7, Jul 4, 2015
    #8
  11. Jul 4, 2015 #9
    dog-c

    dog-c Road Train Member

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    Yeah? Did you weight your car ?
     
    dog-c, Jul 4, 2015
    dog-c, Jul 4, 2015
    #9
  12. Jul 4, 2015 #10
    RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    I'm in Illinois and I stay mostly in Illinois with my routes. The drivers in this area do a pretty good job of keeping me from becoming complacent. It's generally the "I don't want to be behind a truck" mentality of 4 wheelers that keeps me on my toes. I probably have 20+ incidents a week where, if I wasn't paying attention, I'd be in a collision. However, I see them and I am usually on the brake before their thought of pulling out in front of me has been processed.
     
    RustyBolt, Jul 4, 2015
    RustyBolt, Jul 4, 2015
    #10
    BeanDip and HorseShoe Thank this.
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