I don't want to start an argument here, but... more screening of new drivers

There should be more screening of new drivers before putting them behind the wheel of a big truck. Too many idiot previously 4 wheel drivers driving big trucks.

TWICE in just the past 3 days I have seen big trucks heading to a "clover leaf" interchange, well marked, swerve, at the last minute (actually past the "last minute") onto the exit ramp, and NO WAY did they have time to see if anyone was in their path. This is behavior you typically see with 4 wheelers, and they can get away with it most of the time, but with a big truck it is just asking to kill someone.

What it is, IMHO, is that stupid 4 wheeler that just pissed you off by cutting you off, except someone hired them to drive a semi.

I won't mention the company, because it really doesn't make any difference, it could be any company, even someone driving for an O/O.

It's putting people behind the wheel of a big truck that shouldn't even be behind the wheel of a 4 wheeler. And there is a bunch of them out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM

 

Screening? How do you screen for stupid?


Training, and I mean real training, not a class of revenue generators used as slaves to get the most $$ for the company.

 

Also goes back to the laziness of the upcoming generation and the lack of pride in everything they do. A driver that respects his equipment and takes pride in what he does, does not maneuver his rig in such a manner. This is just one example of many of those who are poorly trained, and flat out don't give a darn.

 

Agreed, but maybe if all your pre CDL experience is office work or bagging french fries, you might not be the ideal candidate to drive an 80000 lb vehicle. IMHO, stupid is NOT that hard to screen for, 20 minutes of talk should do it (and a visual inspection).

Of course, there would be a lot of trucks sitting if anyone was REALLY serious about safe drivers. It ain't got a whole lot to do with a burnt out marker light, maybe more to do with common sense.

 

Maybe a good argument would be healthy !!!!

 

How do you know that the trucks you saw swerving were being driven by new drivers? I not sure how you automatically jump from "truck swerved" to "new driver". Maybe I missed something.

 

Poor planning = poor maneuvering(in many cases)....Also a lack of situational and spatial awareness...

 

the only "screening" done at the schools are:

criminal background (BCI), DMV, High school grad (or GED), credit check (if they apply for financial aid), and maybe a DAC as well.

then of course, they MUST speak or at least UNDERSTAND English..

beyond that, there is no checking for stupidity, common sense, morals, ethics, aptitude, or even personal grooming......

but yes, i too can "see what you are saying", way to many people that cannot control their own personal life, a car, mental stability, or family get behind the wheel of big rigs monthly and think they can drive and handle things as they occur on the road.

hopefully with the new changes that are set to take place this coming July for a CDL permit (see my thread about the FMCSR), will make a difference, but i wouldn't bet too much of the farm on it.

 

It's up the school instructors to see stupidity and not feel compelled to pass everyone that can squeak by but the fiscal aspect keeps that from happening as schools don't want to give money back to anyone...You also have to think they are only dealing in the basic of basics and stupidity won't always rear it's head in that phase...If they get past that then it's up to the orientation folks and trainers to weed out the 'less than able'...And of course, some will slip thru all those before they prove they're incapable in the long run, pun intended...

 

I am quite baffled how you seem to think this is done only by new drivers.


I know of some that have been driving since the early seventies and lose track of where they are and suddenly make changes like this.

Does not make it safe or an excuse, but come on. It is not just newbies.