What are the best ways to ensure you don't get in accidents

Paying attention to what you are doing seems to help a lot.

 

Never. Ever. EVER. Get complacent or stop paying attention. It only takes a second to change lives forever.

 

Give yourself space.

 

GOAL-even if it means swallowing your pride where ten other truckers are watching you.

 

Coffee. And lots of it

 

Following distance is the best advantage you could ever give yourself.

 

Best way to avoid accidents? Don't drive!

Seriously, just be aware of your surroundings, understand that the average person is stupid (and that means approximately half the people you meet probably qualify for dribbling idiot status), and expect them to do the absolute dumbest thing you can possibly imagine.

 

Learning with years/decades at the esteemed School of Hard Knocks is one hell of a teacher.

1. Make all the mistakes, but learn from them, and only make them once.
2. Having a brain that functions well also helps.
3. Learn to recognize potential traps BEFORE you're butt deep into it. This involves trip planning, driving, navigation, parking lot skill, time management, etc [implement tip #1 when you realize you missed something]
4. Hope for the best, expect and plan for the worst

 

Don't rush,ever,for any reason. Don't let anyone push you.