Quick advice for new/all drivers.

Really great advice!!
I don't get it, WHY some drivers takes the risk to drive so close, or following to close!!!
The other day I even said "Dude, you're too close..."

GREAT POST!! Thank you!! Hopefully many drivers can read this tread!!

 

I agree I think the CB is about the most useless thing Ive ever owned... Don't have one in my truck anymore and never will again... Smart Phone, Smart Phone, Smart Phone.... Google Maps through the smart phone shows how the traffic is moving, Accu-weather app shows weather live Doppler, got a map, great sense of direction, feel comfortable driving in snow...No Need to listen to a bunch of children whine on the CB or listen to Rambo tell me how doesn't like the way I drive and he wants to beat the snot out of me...

 

Keep a safe following distance and your eyes peeled on the road...... That's how you save your own life.... Merry Christmas

 

Following too close is the most common trucker's mistake. It's the worst habit to get comfortable with. Sure we get cut off and gaps filled but for a driver to initiate the tailgate is bad, bad, bad, an accident waiting to happen. It's just a matter of time.

 

Situational Awareness. Look at on coming traffic blinking the beams, few cars then a herd trying to escape rubberneckers. Something Just happened in your direction of travel. Since you are professional. Already maintained proper following distance............. Brace for impact from behind, Fresh off the boat Tractor Trailer 2 week course driver and soccer mom/teen has no idea what is 200 feet ahead. Oh yeah turn the CB on and hear 50 other drivers asking the same question. Why are we stopped



Situational Awareness. CB is a tool just like a GPS. Nothing is 100% except good ole experience.

 

The speed of light is suspected to vary, and catastrophic truck crashes almost invariably involve a veteran driver, sometimes several. Other than that, I agree 100%...

 

The best advice anyone can learn is this - know when to stop and stay off the road until conditions are better.

Remember that it isn't about you but others who are in your way if you lose control. You are handling a large block of steel that you can't control on ice and in a few cases if you hit a snow drift or a section where there is slush covering ice.

Your license is not worth taking a chance.

 

I always keep a safe following distance & my eyes are always scanning near & far, however the in the situations I experienced/described, the greatest driver in the world and/or a smart phone would be useless. You would have had to "been there" to understand fully.
I'm talking all traffic doing approx 50 mph on what was a snow covered highway (I was spaced far away from others), but immediately on the other side of a hillcrest/overpass was a bad patch of ice, where everyone was "sideways".

No amount of "Keep a safe following distance and your eyes peeled on the road" would have done any good or prepared you from being another potential victim, unless you mysteriously received divine intervention seconds before, and "premonitiously" slowed to 15~20 mph before the hill's crest. It's impossible to see what's on the other (downhill) side before you get to the crest of the hill, and since all traffic is doing 50 mph in what was "safe" speed for the previous road surface, then comes down to being able to foresee a "blind hazard", much akin to a deer shooting out instantly in front of you.

Sorry, but no amount of "Keep a safe following distance and your eyes peeled on the road" will help in these situations.
But I'm glad that another driver did shout a warning via CB to save a bunch of us from a larger pileup.
Without the CB warning, I would have probably slowed to about 40~45 mph before topping the hill, but even that would have not prevented me being added to the carnage on the other side.

 

Crap does Happen. Notch the experience and hope everyone involved survived. Material crap can be replaced.