How to be a safe CDL driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by hopeful eyes, Dec 14, 2020.

  1. hopeful eyes

    hopeful eyes Medium Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2020
    Richmond, Virginia
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    The last ticket I got was back in 2015. My license is clean now because I have experience and confidence now. But how to be ticket free when I get my CDL. Lack of experience will make me less confident in a huge rig. Some suggestions from you pros please. Thank you!
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Patience when driving. Being in traffic all day is different than running to wal mrt in your honda civic for food. Especially in strange cities in a truck ! 600 mi daily will tire you out. The truck will beat you up ! People bossing you around ( dispatchers, security guards, lumpers, shippers etc). But, you can do it ! ! !:hello1:
     
  4. hopeful eyes

    hopeful eyes Medium Load Member

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    Richmond, Virginia
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    Thank you!
     
    born&raisedintheusa Thanks this.
  5. MBAngel

    MBAngel Medium Load Member

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    Tucson, Arizona
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    Keep your eyes up. Look down the road for reasons you might have to break or change lanes.
    Check your mirrors, so you know what traffic is around you.
    Leave yourself an out. Know where you can move to in a hurry if you need to.
    Make sure they see you. Look to make sure pedestrians and other drivers see you coming.
    Know your route before you drive. Then you can be prepared to be in the correct lane at the right time.
    Stay in the right lane when possible, but watch for merging traffic.
    Leave a good following distance. If someone jumps in there, make more room. If someone is tailgating you, make more room to slow down safely.
    No distractions- pay attention. This is up to 80k lbs of deadly force in motion. Take it seriously.
    Be polite, and don't speed. Don't drive aggressively.
     
  6. hopeful eyes

    hopeful eyes Medium Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2020
    Richmond, Virginia
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    THANK YOU. Will remember each word of you.
     
    born&raisedintheusa Thanks this.
  7. hopeful eyes

    hopeful eyes Medium Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2020
    Richmond, Virginia
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    I will start working on these points when I am driving my personal car. Practise before my trucking job.
     
    Badmon and born&raisedintheusa Thank this.
  8. seagreg

    seagreg Light Load Member

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    Oct 3, 2019
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    It is easy to move straight from apprehensive about the hazards to being complacent.

    Do something actively that gets you thinking about the hazards and risks; and make doing that work a habit.

    Fighting-Complacency-2.png

    I always take any "close call" as a wake-up call that I need to check my ego and go back to the basics.
     
  9. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
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    Defensive driving. Avoiding bad situations is your best defence.

    Look ahead. Most people only look about 50 feet ahead of their car. Look way, wayyyy further ahead than that. Anticipate what is going on before it becomes a potential situation.
     
  10. meechyaboy

    meechyaboy Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 4, 2018
    Detroit, Michigan
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    Respect what you’re doing and it respects you.. I’ve driven tanker my whole trucking career. First chemicals regional and now fuel tanker local.
    The first step is before going down the road you get a good pretrip and get yourself mentally awake.. never wake up and go in a panic.. remove panic as much as possible by trip-planning, try to plan out where you want to make stops..Get you a atlas at the least, walk yourself through what you’re doing before you set off. two things you must learn is that in this industry stuff out of your control will happen.. can’t let it panic you. And with that you will get there when you get there. Doesn’t mean be lazy make extra stops or speed through town. Call dispatch and communicate what’s going on.
    When going down the road you want as much following distance as possible especially in winter conditions. If it’s a place you’ve never been to and they don’t have a crystal clear site map pull in then get out and walk it..
    do all slow manuevers slow. Especially at the end of your day if you have to park it in a truck stop. Don’t want to have a good day ruined by a accident at the end of it.. and don’t worry if someone is looking or waiting behind you... they can wait or get out and help... if someone does ever help still go by your gut... if you can’t see it get out and look
     
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