I BLEW IT...and ended my career!!!

While I agree with much of what you say, the idea that accidents are inevitable is something I question. There's plenty of drivers with a million+ miles that haven't had an accident. Those of us that aspire to reach that milestone need to pay attention to how they accomplished it.

I think the key to keeping out of accidents in trucking is to not have the "take the plunge" attitude. I'm thinking of the difference in outlook between two extreme sports and how this applies to trucking. Extreme skiers are actually fairly careful and plan their route of descent to a certain extent, but due to the nature of the game they have to "take the plunge" at some point... ie. they commit to a line when they have limited information about what is coming next. Rock climbers on the other hand are more calculating in the game they play, figuring out each move in advance, with the rope as a "safety net".

Now I've done both those sports, and I'm well aware of the difference in attitude between them, having taught and guided both. When driving a vehicle on public roads it is never a good idea to "take the plunge" mentally. A good example in trucking is setting up for a blind side dock, not getting out and looking, and "taking the plunge" and backing anyway. You are trusting to an element of luck that shouldn't be part of the equation in trucking at all.

I see truckers taking risks every day, whether backing, tail gating, or getting their nose up in the middle of a "cluster truck" in heavy traffic. Seems to me that whenever I see a "Million Miler" decal on the side of a tractor it's the one that's hanging back behind traffic, or it's the driver getting out to check out a dock carefully before backing.

 

Oh, you can get directions on the CB today, it's just you don't want to go where they are telling you to go....

 

That wasn't a bad enough deal to call cops. I'd just haul ### across that bridge both ways and chanced getting caught.

You need a Rand McNally 7" display GPS, enter your truck's details as far as height, width, axles, and download the updates every week or two.

Also, look up the business on google maps. Look at the map view and the satellite view of the area, and memorize key details that help.

Call ahead to every customer, ask for the shipping/receiving dept. manager, and get details like truck directions, appointments, and if there is a staging area or is it ok to park there the night before, etc.

 

Google maps satellite can be your friend. I know in the rural areas might not always work but saved my hide before

 

So the lesson I have been taught again,and again is......Do not use a GPS.Take the time to plan my route,and call with any questions.

 

I have a lot of sympathy for drivers in general but there is no excuse for damaging a fairing on your cab.

 

You might look into construction work this Spring. Check into the IUOE. Start an apprenticeship as a union heavy equipment operator. Your CDL should put you ahead of several hundred of their applicants.

 

A good old fashioned motor carrier map and local directions from the customer always work better than a GPS in all my time driving. They are seldom accurate and you can not trust the routes it is sending on even if its a supposed trucker GPS.

 

The emphasis above is mine... but this is important. We've had drivers call the main number for the company at which I work and just ask for directions. The main number directs a caller to customer service and those gals know our company policies, procedures, and product... but they know nothing about bridge weight limits or maneuvering a 70' rig on back roads. ALWAYS ask for the folks in shipping/receiving. You'll save yourself a lot of grief.