Keep your head up and level !!. Look straight ahead .. Very very important

Or at least take a multi vitamin

 

Or a protein shake.

 

A mega fleet should have told you about the ten second "head bob". The head bob is to keep you from getting drowsy on the long drives.
Start from looking ahead, move to looking straight at the right fender miror, then the right door mirror. Then face the left mirror, then face the left mirror on the fender, and finally back at the horizon. Did you see a opening you could use if a panic move? Did you see the shadow of the four wheeler trying to draft on the back of the trailer? Did you see the crazy four wheeler that was racing you down the on ramp? Was there a car that you saw in the fender mirror trying to hide in your right blind spot.

Do the head bob every thirty seconds. Pay attention. Presume that the person next to you cant see the house on wheels next to them and might try to merge into you.

 

Your peripheral vision and even an occasional look at your mirrors (which I’m not opposed to) will help in the situations you mentioned. I am referring to driving on the freeway and looking at your side mirrors every few seconds (as if anyone does it, anyway). That is what I find not to be a good advice. I agree with Stevens Transport on this one, but if you want to be looking at your mirrors every few seconds, fine. I don’t blame you. After all, DMV driving manuals want you to do it.

Of course you have to look at your mirrors if you want to change lanes, or any other similar situation.

 

I looked in my mirror once and had a trailer tire passing me. I thought that was a joke till it happened to me. I guess I maybe would have seen it out my windshield eventually though lol.

 

Does Stevens have some sort of stellar safety record? Honest question

 

1) That’s what vehicle inspections are for. You really don’t want to do a walk-around inspection while driving. Sure, if you catch something in your peripheral vision or while looking at your mirrors, then you take a closer look or pull over, but to be checking your whole equipment every few seconds, really? It’s certainly something I don’t do or think is a good idea. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even practice it either, and are probably just mentioning it just to be a contrarian.

2) This is the only legit reason so far. I agree that if you haul flat bed or oversize, you want to be looking at your load every so often to ensure nothing is falling off or if the load is tilting. I’ve only hauled reefer, and I’ve never had a problem with a load falling off the trailer. Any van trailer falling apart while in motion is certainly defective or was previously involved in some serious accident. If the trailer doors open while in transit, then that was a problem of vehicle inspection.

I just found some other situations where looking at your side mirrors is reasonable. For example, while traveling through construction zones where lanes are usually narrow and even deformed. Then we have curves (where trailers can off-track) or narrow lanes in cities or some country roads. I am okay with these, and I personally do look at my mirrors for these.

3) Tailgating is harmless for the driver being tailgated. It certainly is annoying. Traffic attempting to pass me, I deal with them once they are lined up to my vehicle. Sure, everyone encounters these drivers who merge onto your lane last second. I wouldn’t be liable if I can’t brake in time, and that is why I am a strong supporter of dash cams.

Emergency vehicles are usually very noticeable in your side mirrors through your peripheral vision. There is also the sound and the bright lights, especially at night. I haven’t had any issues detecting them.

The case of the motorcycle is addressed by following the proper procedure of lane changes. I am a strong supporter of this one as well, especially since it ranks in the top 5 most common accidents. You always look twice for motorcycles and also vehicles who are flying through the freeway. What is also important is not to change lanes too fast. If it turns out you made a mistake, this give you and the other driver an opportunity to evade the accident.

 

I’m not sure, but they are very strict when it comes to safety. You’ll get fired right away for u-turns or anything similar to it. They actually have a list of things which you will get fired for, most of them related to safety. They are a self-insured company.

Stevens Transport (out of Dallas, TX) has a trucking school. They have 1-2 classes every week. Each class is about 30 students, but I’d say 50-75% make it to the next stage, which is going out with a trainer OTR for 5-6 weeks.

 

Leave yourself an out....can't do that if you don't know what's next to you/behind you. Made up scenario but I think it might help make the point. Moderate traffic and two cars tangle 100' in front of you because one darted around you and took up your following distance and you might not be able to stop. Do you have any idea about the situation around your truck? Now what's on the sides of you and coming up behind you matters.

 

Well, I already mentioned everything I needed to. I really have a hard time believing folks are looking at their side mirrors every few seconds. C’mon now. You know you aren’t. Enough with the nonsense.

As I have already mentioned, yes, there are legit cases where you must look at your side mirrors, but I am not a supporter of looking at your side mirrors every few seconds while on the freeway. I rest my case.