How to keep a truck in your own lane.

What did the 1 driver say to the other driver?

Many years ago I over heard two drivers...... "Run the white line through the 11oclock of of your steering wheel ####y, you'll be fine"
I tried it and it seemed spot on. But this is on very narrow single lane roads. I'm sure each truck is abit diffrent, so maybe put the truck where you want it and check the time lol. (BTW we drive on the left, pass on the rite. Untill we cross into the DRC ofcoarse)

 

Clear back when I was in high school, waaaay back in the dark ages, I was taught to "see the BIG picture." It works in a big truck the same as it does in a car, on a motorcycle, or for that matter, on a bicycle.

Don't "focus" on any one spot. Keep your eyes moving all the time. Know what is happening, both right in front of your truck, and all the way out to the horizon. Use your peripheral vision to keep an eye out for those unexpected things, such as a deer in the median or barrow ditch.

Make "quick checks" of your mirrors. Very few accidents are as hard to explain as the one you have because you were looking at where you have been, rather than where you are going.

If you are sleepy, STOP AND SLEEP.

It is not at all difficult to have these simple things become a lifelong, (and life saving,) habit.

 

I used to think that driving wasn't all that hard.

 

Absolutely! 100%. Good post Big Don.
Take note of this one guys.

And brings me to say- please don't miss understand my post- don't be starring at the steering and white line, just use this to show you where your truck should be, just like a qwick mirro check and this is rite when you are starting out (1st trip) very soon it should just become natural to you.
I don't think any of us are using "tricks". Relax and be aware.
If you have been driving for a few months now allready and your truck is still weaving down the road, there is a problem.

 

I use my fender mirrors as reference points and know where the lines should be in reference to the position.

 

How did I know that Big Don and BigJohn....are you two related?...would be the top notch responders?!

When I was training I found that the student would be scared and really up tight especially when traveling through those narrow construction lanes (K-rails on both sides)....they were not comfortable in the close quarters. Watching them as they drove in these zones...I realized they were focusing close to the front of the truck, and making short, choppy corrections.

I watched...paid closer attention to what I focused on in regular driving and in the tighter zones. I found that by spotting the center of the hood...where the handle (depression) is and keeping that point of reference on the fog line (1 o'clock aspect on a clock face)...kept the truck center of the lane. This "aspect" does not require a direct stare or focus, it is very dominant in your peripheral vision attitude.

Also, just as in backing, over steering (correcting) will cause a big problem. Gas Hauler noted this aspect with the "piloting" of triples (I believe it was GasHauler)....any sharp, strong correction creates more movement than is required. And as the scientific theory states...."for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"...any over correction one way will require an even larger over correction the opposite way.

The new driver needs to be taught and learn his "marker point"...a reference to lane center....especially this time of year with all the construction and narrowing of lanes...not to mention the tight turns in lane changing in the construction areas. As Don said....a quick glance at your mirrors (both sides) and your instrument panel is a double check of your position in the lane. With experience, the "glance" gets shorter in duration, almost to a point of not realizing you are doing it....this is where "habit" plays a part. Get the driver to create "habits"....steady, regular movements and actions in their regular driving....then the "tight zones" won't be such a stressful arena!

Don't forget the changing aspect of pulling a trailer that is off tracking....the tractor needs to adjust the lane position so the off tracking trailer also maintains the proper lane. Look at what the "oversize" haulers have to contend with....they must maintain their lane and keep the "product" within the bounds of their lane control.....no different than we do with standard width equipment, just a simple adjustment to initial positioning and maintaining that configuration.

 

Except the goethalis bridge to staten island. Big trucks makes that one lane bridge

 

They actually taught us this at my school but students were staring at that rather than in their peripheral. Personally, I've never been able to use it as I am very tall and have to sit much higher than most so the handle doesn't line up like that for me.

 

I dont know?, I'm to busy, talking on the cell, or changing the voice on my GPS, or playing a video game on my psp,or anything else I can think of.

 

Beat me to it.