How to be a safe CDL driver?

This.
Go for a ride in your car and look straight in front of you...as 99% of drivers do. Simultaneously, attempt to raise your field of sight to look further down the road. You can't do it because it's physically impossible.

Now, look further down the road...way down. Now adjust your field of vision to see what's closest in front of you. THAT, you can do and it's the reason it's much, much safer to look further down the road in front of you than what's immediately in front.

 

Stay out of the left lane where prohibited and never be the fastest truck on the road..second mouse always gets the cheese.

Been about 30 years since I’ve gotten any kind of ticket..probably get one tonight, lol

 

Learn to take hints and read traffic. If I see brake lights a 1/2 mile ahead I will instantly come out of the throttle and start paying really close attention. Do your best to maintain following distance and it's a lot further than you think. Don't get frustrated that cars fill your safe zone, just back off a little more and play that game as long as it takes.

 

How do you deal with heavy traffic and being unable to change lanes in it? Just slow to a stop with signal on?

 

There are times I just have to signal, flash my load lights, etc.. then start easing towards the dividing line. Eventually someone will let you in. It's up to you to plan WAY ahead if you need to get off at an exit.

 

‘Remember you are mortal’

Say the following.
"I will mess up royally if I'm not careful. I don't know it all. If I don't keep an eye on everything, something will go wrong. I must keep doing self-evaluations so I don't pick up bad habits."
Now repeat saying it till retirement.

As soon as you get it in your head that you know what you're doing, bad things happen. You don't need to be a nervous wreck but try to keep some of that nervous energy you have. It'll serve you well. It's saved me more than a few times.

 

the best way be safest is don't become the CDL driver. Who knows's what will happen hit a patch of ice, another semi might come into your lane, some airplane mistakes you for a road and lands on you, but you could tune it all out and drive what you consider is safe.

The only thing I will say it will work on your nerves every day, best thing is to try not think about the issues not saying be complacent that's how many CDL drivers lose their job, life or freedom

btw unless you live in some backwoods town you can start out local if you really wanted. like here we have little less this 100k people and if you dont have a CDL no problem they need people haul the cotton, California grapes, Florida oranges most states grow or raise something that needs transported.

 

An inexperienced driver cannot operate the rig in the same manner that an experienced driver can, so I never let myself be pressured into attempting it. Skills come with practice over time.

 

I dont care what happens. At all. NEVER EVER panic and ALWAYS stay calm no matter what. Easier said than done a lot of times but its been said forever and i will say it again. I dont give a #### if you happened to get stuck somehow doing something you shouldnt and end up blocking 4 lanes of traffic. You better be calm and think clearly, horns honking and chaos surrounding you be dammed. KEEP CALM AND BE SOLUTION ORIENTED