Help I screwed up!!

I'm not sure what you're asking here but agree you screwed up. I'm a pretty new driver myself and have been in a couple of similar situations. I avoided damage by following one basic rule. When I started out I knew there would be mistakes and told myself to not panic and not turn a small mistake into a big one. It's worked for me so far. I've parked the truck with 4 ways on and walked through my way out before actually trying to get the truck though when I wasn't certain. If your company says remedial training then you should be OK. I know many have done the same as you but caused much more damage. Next time you get into a situation take a deep breath, relax and deal with it calmly and you'll be fine.

 

1st off and I know it's hard, but don't worry about it. Whatever happens, happens. Don't let the last 2 incidents worry you into 3. We all have gotten off the beaten path before. It sounds like the 1st one you should have put your 4 ways on and figured out a plan. A cop comes up, what are you doing? Sir I am trying to get turned around. I have even got into big cities in bad neighborhoods where I could not get out without backing out across blind streets. I have called 911 before. Ma'am no emergency, but I am in a big truck and need help getting out or turned around. They will send someone out to help you. Better than having an accident.
Your next incident. Always carry immodium AD with you. No matter what the situation. Do not panic. Work your way thru it. You have only been in the hot seat a week.. It will get better.

 

Yeah, the first couple weeks were definitely interesting. Again, just keep your cool and it will get easier each day. I've only been at it six months and am pretty comfortable with most situations now but I learn something new all the time. The other thing I told myself when starting out is to not get too comfortable and that's something I keep reminding myself of. I read somewhere that other than the first week or two many drivers run into trouble in their second year when they start to feel too confident and that's the biggest thing I try to remember now.

 

I haven't started driving for a company yet (I'm in the process of choosing one now), but I just graduated from a very well respected truck driving school (got my CDL of course), and probably the most important thing I've learned in that class was to remain calm at all times. If you get yourself into a bad situation, the natural thing to do is panic and try to get out of it as quickly as possible. This almost always leads to more chaos. The BEST thing to do is simply to stop, put on your four ways, and calmly figure out how to get yourself out of it. DO NOT let the fact that there are other driver's on the road get you all worked up. If you're really stuck and need some help getting out, call for the police. In my class, there were a few times that we've all had to stop and put on our four ways to get out of a situation, be it a tight intersection, construction, traffic, etc. I actually didn't mind getting into these situations. I always loved seeing the impressed reactions from people every time I successfully got through those situations. Made me feel good lol. I've had to back up in a couple tight intersections, and one time actually had to move cones in a construction zone and hang the outer tires on the right side of the trailer tandoms out over a huge deep ditch in the road just to get through using every inch of space I had available. That was all sorts of fun lol. Stoopid construction lol. Just have to go very slow and use all of the eyes on the front, back, and sides of your head to prevent yourself from having an accident.

 

I definitely need to try and keep that thought in my head. I could easily see myself becoming too overconfident in the future lol

 

VERY GOOD advice here ya'll! Thanks for sharing it.

Good Luck Gwhit.

 

Your welcome. I am no longer with them, but I still rate them very high. You won't find a better co. Not to worry you, but they are very selective on who they hire. Your incidents will not set well with them, but they are worth trying.