How do I not kill people on the road?

About says it all, this takes care of fog, rain, speed, traffic and is the key. You have to keep your comfort zone open and clear to respond. Does not matter what happens, time the more you have the better allows you to handle it. Its all controlled by following distance.

 

They brought that system to us a few years ago. We have a wide range of experienced drivers. They start already with 2 years tanker experience but there's alot of drivers with 10,15,20,25, and some with 30 or more years. We all bit*hed and moaned about this program. Some of the real old timers said "I've got 30 years safe driving what are they going to teach me?"

After it was up and running I'd say 98% of the drivers swore by it, myself included. Those drivers that had 30 years experience said "hey this is what I've been doing and it's great that it gets taught to everyone".

Our program is constant and we use our Driver Trainers to monitor the program. Every quarter the Driver Trainer would spend the day with each driver of that terminal to make sure all is not forgotten. It wasn't a surprise to us when the number of highway incidents dropped and was a direct reflection of the Smith System.

We were lucky that our operation allowed us to use this type of program and to keep it going. Our Driver Trainers are the best driver at that terminal and it's usually the number one driver on the board. They get paid more and I've been told their once a year retreat is a blast. But even if you're just sent to the Smith System school it is definitely the best program I've seen.

BTW, those crazy people that you have to drive with go out to Las Vegas to live. So yeah, with an 85' gasoline tanker I can beat it.

 

With any vehicle, don't do anything you know you shouldn't be doing, or blow off what you're doing like lighting a cig in heavy traffic "ah it's fine won't be a distraction" and before you know it your hands are off the wheel for a second with fire next to your face when you need to stop asap.

It's better to be hit by someone than to be the one that hits someone. At least it's less likely your fault.

Try picking up some emergency backup plans. My instructor has been giving me many many many backups in case scenario A, B, or C happens. So if I slip out of gear, get stuck somewhere or have to make a quick decision I know what to do gear wise among other things.


Also... NEVER assume a person is going to do what it appears they are doing.
Examples...
1. Hanging out in a turning lane, then jump out in front of you when they realize they're turning at the wrong light.

2. Coming to a stop at a intersection where you have the right of way without stopping, and they keep rolling, and rolling, and rolling until you realize you're about to tear off their bumper or entire engine if you don't move over.

3. Somebody approaching and slowing down with their turn signal on as if they are going to turn where you are at, and keep going straight without warning. It's easy to mistakenly pull out in front of someone who does this.

4. weaving / unusual driving patterns, a person could be intoxicated, new behind the wheel, lost and can't make up their mind, or could be an old person who got scared of something or lost and can't make up their mind where they are going to go.


If you are in a bind, lost, stuck, etc don't be afraid to radio for help and support or in some cases get support from an officer if you need to back out of a dangerous situation and need to control traffic.

Back to basics is usually the first and most effective rule of thumb.

 

Your question reminded me of how I did it the first time around Knightlock. I delivered to NY (Bronx,Manhattan,Long Island), Chicago, & L.A. I will not repeat the way to drive safe, all previous post nailed it. My Tip is to make or have a plan. Like backing a trailer, Setup is everything.

Don't procrastinate. This may seem like common sense to most. If you have a noon delivery in Long Island and you start into NY 6am (middle of rush hour) your chance of a accident driving in car stew will go up. I made good time to NY, started over the bridge at 3am when it was only car broth. Trying to find a receiver in traffic is a pain. Drive in early, beat the traffic so you can take your time. You can goof around after you escape Metro, U.S.A.

Call the receiver before you get there. If you can have a map program running on you laptop (Google Maps? Truck GPS?) so can confirm the delivery route. What time is the receiver open? Do you have a dock yard? Is the yard open if i drive in early or gated until opening time? What kind of Hood: Industrial Park, Shopping Center, High Crime Area? In L.A. the shipper opened at 10am, hand unload, with a no dock street delivery. Are there any big stores nearby? I parked on a grocery store dock five blocks up the road (& restocked my cooler ) waiting for the receiver to open for the day.

You are THE DRIVER: Make A Plan, Don't Let The Plan Make You. Be Safe