CB Radios: Invaluable Safety Tools

Hello Everyone! I wanted to touch upon the topic of C B radios.
When I started my career with Schneider National in 1990, the number one item on seemingly every drivers list of " things to buy" was a CB Radio...........and that expansive , laminated Rand McNally Road Atlas.......2 "must haves" as I recall.
Every week, I'd peer into those display cabinets longing for what I had settled my mind on - a Cobra 148.......I had heard my Elder driver colleagues boast here and there, over chow at a burns brothers etc...
And when I raised up enough cash out of the 19 cents per mile I was being paid.....I made the purchase......along with the necessary attatchments , the firestick antenna, coaxial , and even a hardy "dyna mic"......
It was , or seemed like something all drivers had to do.......as responsible as making sure the oil levels were up to snuff......
I still feel this way today and I really want to explain why............
Every company that we work for gives their packaged idea of which practices and driving procedures, if properly APPLIED by their drivers , makes for safe and well executed transport of the services we all provide......
Good......I agree with this striving and planning....always have....
I have found that the Smith System of Driving to be at the foundation of all good and sound skills preparedness in this matter......what I have also found in my 28 years, is that the C B radio aids tremendously in extending the foundations outward........afterall, a "foundation" is just that!..... after some time, we drivers "add- to" the foundation just as we would add framework, windows, doors, chimneys to a house foundation.......
I find that the C B radio is one of these "add- to's" in that it provides an enhancement to at least one important key of the 5 within the Smith System........Key #2 : "Get The Big Picture"
When we read this , we may be instantly convinced or persuaded that getting the big picture, involves mainly use of our eyes. True, the eyes are the main way and most utilized in the process.....but cant our ears play a part? ....SURELY THEY CAN, AND HAVE!.......I can give account after account , about being warned over the crackle of my C B radio regarding flooded highways, roll-overs , pileups, debri fields, shoulder clutter, closures .......
The C B radio is and has been an indispensable and effective Tool in my career ......and I will not do this job without one properly working buzz box close overhead........the internet cannot provide the realtime information like the good ole C B radio can.........long live the C B Radio!!!!!!

 

Yessir! This story of yours helps drive home the posts intentions!

 

Waze is a useful tool for planning a route , but is no match for the CB radios lightening fast update capacity! ......I mean, hearing something like " hey Westbound, theres a explosion about a half mile ahead of you in your lanes......."....could never be delivered by Waze could it?

 

Good point!