Need help calming some fears

My simple piece of advise is don't turn a small mistake into a big one. A lot of preventables happen when guys get into a situation, be it a missed turn, a bad setup for backing or whatever, and are in a rush to get out of the situation. Just relax and think before you act when it happens.

I'm pretty new, less than two years, and have managed to avoid any issues so far.

 

You got it and it's some of the best advice. I.E. You get to a truck stop and there is one space left and it's a tight one. If your radio is on some tough guys will be busting your chops because it's taking so long. Shut the radio off and do it at YOUR pace. I.E. Your slowing down for an exit ramp that has a tight turn and someone jumps on the radio why the hell are you going so slow.

Keep in mind it is your CDL not theirs. You are responsible for everything you do.

One quick story for you. One night about 10 years ago i was jumping on I-80 from the 76 T/S going westbound towards the Buckeye. Just as I started the climb up Snowshoe Mtn there was a light mist in the air and it was getting chilly. I opened my window and reached behind my mirror and felt the dreaded ICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right away i put the 4-ways on and proceeded to bring it down slowly to around 45mph. Sure enough a set of Keystone doubles goes screaming by me. I jump on the radio and inform him of the Ice situation. He started with you drive your truck and i will &^%&^$*%#$##$#%$.

That was it!!!!!!!!!!!! He lost it and had a total yard sale right in front of me. I dont know how i stopped in time because the road was now a total skating rink. It took me over ten minutes to get to him because i couldnt even walk on the road to get to him it was total ice. When I got there i climmbed onto the passenger side to see if he was alive. BTW the whole unit was flipped over. Needless to say he looked startled but was ok. Myself and a couple of hundred other Trucks sat there for over seven hours before they could get to us to remove the wreckage.

Moral of the story. Drive within your means and slow down when needed. Dont let the CB Rambo's of the world push you when you feel it's unsafe. I doubt very much that Keystone driver ever stepped foot in a truck again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!