What It Takes To Drive Large Trucks

Most people are familiar with 18-wheelers, but commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) range in size from small straight
trucks to extremely large oversized trucks. All professional truck drivers who drive commercial motor vehicles in the
United States are required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate trucks of certain Gross Vehicle
Weight Ratings. Depending on the kind of equipment you want to drive, additional endorsements may be required,
such as to haul double and triple trailers or tankers.
Those desiring a CDL must pass a General Knowledge test and a Skills test, the latter of which proves that the driver
can demonstrate stopping, backing, making turns, driving on city and highway roads, and weaving a truck through a
"serpentine" course. Of the classes of Commercial Drivers Licenses -- Classes A, B and C -- only holders of a Class
A CDL can operate the large trucks.

Safe Driving: Space Cushion

Professional drivers who practice safe driving constantly monitor the "space cushion" around their trucks to make sure
that they are not too close to other objects, whether stationary or moving.
By space cushion, we mean literally a cushion of space. Of the two boxes on the right, the one on the right has a
larger space cushion, as pictured in red.

The following illustration shows the directions around a truck that a professional driver must be concerned about:

Height above (tunnels, overpasses and low clearances);

Surface beneath (including sloped and uneven road surfaces, pot holes, speed bumps, road hazards,
slipperiness, accumulated precipitation, weight restrictions, etc.);

Forward space in front (including following distance and turning space);

Rear space behind (including following distance of vehicles behind and backing space); and

Space on both the driver side and passenger side (negotiating parking places, toll booths, tunnels and
bridges).

Safe Driving: Trip Planning

Knowing the terrain and travel conditions (which include the weather and flow of traffic) along your route before you
leave can help you make safe driving decisions. It is good from a safe driving standpoint if you can reasonably avoid
situations where the likelihood that you'll be involved in an accident is higher or where you'll face long waits and
impatient drivers. Allow some extra travel time for

traffic congestion,

stop lights/signs,

inclement weather,

construction, and

hilly or mountainous terrain.

There are numerous weather websites that feature forecasts for local areas. For traffic conditions, we have used
Google Maps' traffic feature. Simple visitMaps.Google.Com, type in a city name, and click on the "traffic" feature in
the upper right hand corner of the map area. The roads become color-coded according to the legend shown.
If the driver is hauling hazardous materials (often referred to as "HazMat"), he or she must take special precautions
and perhaps take special routes. Professional drivers must also always be aware of weight restrictions on bridges.

Performing pre-trip and post-trip inspections is required. Repair what must be repaired before you make your trip.

Safe Driving: Speed

Speed plays an important role in driving a large truck.
Professional truck drivers who practice safe driving do not drive so fast that they cannot safely stop their vehicles
without being involved in a collision. Remember: it takes you longer to accelerate and longer to brake a large truck
than a car.
Always slow down in work zones, but don't hang back to try to impede other vehicles with the size of yours.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration addresses the issue of driving too fast for conditions.(2) It is one of
numerous Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) web-based driving tips.(3)
Furthermore, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), speeding was the #1 factor involved in fatal large truck crashes in 2009.(4)

Safe Driving: Turns And Curves

Professional truck drivers who practice safe driving remember to slow down in turns (including entrance and exit
ramps on major roads). Oftentimes, the posted speed limit on ramps is geared for smaller vehicles, not high-profile
trucks. Failure to slow down sufficiently can lead to rollover accidents.
This animated image shows what happens when a large truck takes a ramp too fast. The text reads:

Ramp speed limits are geared for cars, not heavy trucks.

When approaching a ramp, drivers of big trucks must adjust their speed.

When speed is properly reduced, the truck's tires maintain contact with the road at all times.

When speed is not properly reduced the truck's tires will lose contact with the road.

A rollover accident is inevitable!

So slow down!

Whenever you are entering a curve in the road, you may need to slow down. You will definitely need to slow down
whenever you negotiate a turn. We have seen a large truck turned over at the entrance ramp to an interstate because
the driver took the turn too fat.
Rollover accidents can happen for numerous reasons including taking a curve too fast, overcompensating to get back
on the road when your tires slip off the road, and high winds.
Allow for distance and speed of other vehicles when making a turn across traffic or into the path of oncoming traffic.
Never try to outrun an oncoming train at arailroad crossing.

Safe Driving: Stopping Distance

Semi-tractor trailers cannot stop on a dime. One of Newton's laws of motion says: "An object in motion will stay in
motion, unless an outside force acts upon it." Obviously, a loaded big rig takes longer to stop than a four-wheeled
vehicle. However, professional drivers need to allow an even greater amount of total stopping distance based on
conditions.
Driving in any of the following situations requires greater total stopping distance:

at night,

on secondary roads,

in hilly or mountainous areas,

along curvy roads, or

whenever precipitation is falling or the roads have received precipitation.

The formula to calculate Total Stopping Distance is:

Perception Distance
+ Reaction Distance
+ Brake Lag Distance
+ Effective Braking Distance
----------------------------= Total Stopping Distance

Braking and stopping distance are also affected by a truck's weight. There are significant differences in stopping
ability between

a truck with a loaded trailer,

a truck with an empty trailer (aka "deadhead"), and

driving just the tractor (aka "bobtail").

You might think it would be easier to stop with just the tractor or with no load on the trailer, but we've found that just
the opposite is true.

Safe Driving: Weather

Professional truck drivers who practice safe driving know that stopping distance is also affected by weather.
Professional truck drivers need to drive for conditions, allowing more room to stop when precipitation (rain, freezing
rain, snow, ice pellets, etc.) is falling or accumulated on the ground.
The most dangerous situations are those when traction is lost, preventing the vehicle from responding to driver control
of accelerating, braking or steering -- such as might occur when hydroplaning, sliding on a patch of ice and

jackknifing. Drivers of large trucks should never use an engine brake (aka "Jake Brake") in wet weather because
traction could be lost.
In the winter, snow-covered roads can warm up during the day to partially melt off snow but freeze over again at night,
creating treacherous conditions. It is very difficult to drive on ice and most large trucks are not equipped to do it. If the
roads are below freezing and there is any rain, mist or fog, there is the possibility that "black ice" can form; it's thin,
nearly invisible and very dangerous.
We once encountered a set-up for black ice in the mountains of North Carolina. Based on conditions, we advised our
fleet manager of conditions, parked for the night and set out the next morning after the temperature had risen. What
did we miss? In the night, freezing rain froze on the surface of the road, causing numerous cars and one large truck
to literally slide off I-40, either on the shoulder side or into the median.
Other weather conditions can also be hazardous. Fog, wind, blowing sand, blowing snow and bright sunshine can all
present challenges to driving. While strong winds are always a challenge to drivers of high-profile vehicles, crosswinds can be especially dangerous. The secret to driving in any hazardous situation is to slow down and know when
to stop. We refer to knowing when to stop in winter on our snow chains page.

Safe Driving: Momentum

Because of the size and momentum of their vehicles, professional truck drivers should learn to try to anticipate the
actions of drivers of other vehicles around them. Part of this training involves looking down the road much farther than
the typical driver does. This can be hard to do (if not downright impossible) on hilly or curvy roads.
The illustration below shows a large truck and car with lines drawn to show estimated distances that drivers may be
looking ahead of their vehicles.

Safe Driving: Regarding Relying On GPS

Drivers of high profile vehicles need to be especially concerned about low clearances under bridges and through
tunnels. We have read many articles about "professional" drivers who relied on a non-motor carriers' GPS unit and
peeled back part of the roof of their vehicles or got stuck or both. They ignored, to their own peril, the information
clearly written on road signs and clearly documented in every motor carriers' atlas.

One example is a driver who ignored an 11'3" clearance sign and rammed his truck under a bridge.
Http://Www.Thebostonchannel.Com/R/21709523/Detail.Html (No Longer Online)

Safe Driving: Tailgating And Following Distance

Drivers of large trucks and four-wheeled vehicles are both capable of following too closely behind the vehicle in front
of them, a situation known as "tailgating." When proper space (remember that "space cushion" previously described?)
is not allowed between vehicles, there is a greater likelihood of a collision taking place when the vehicle in the forward
position brakes.
Professional drivers should never tailgate vehicles in front of them, no matter the size or weight of the vehicle.
It is possible to discourage others from tailgating you as you drive your truck.
It is also dangerous to practice cutting in between large trucks. This action automatically reduces the following
distance of the truck in the rear position and provides a set-up for a collision.

Safe Driving: Backing Up

The very nature of most professional drivers' jobs call for them to back up their trucks frequently. Backing occurs often
at shipper's and receiver's docks as well astruck stops. Professional drivers who practice safe driving know that
backing accidents can be avoided by observing the familiar acronym
G.O.A.L.: Get Out And Look.
This is especially important when backing in from the driver's "blind side."
The position of the tandems under the trailer have a great deal to do with how tightly a turn can be made. Examine
the following illustration, which has been created to show the differences in turning radius between two trailers whose
tandems are set differently:

the "trailer" on the left has its tandems set all the way at the rear but

the "trailer" on the right has its tandems pulled forward.

The lengths and angles of the two lines are the same; only the point at which the lines intersect has changed. The
numbers shown on the horizontal lines are in pixels, just for comparative purposes.

Both trailers swing about their pivots. The driver whose trailer has tandems all the way at the rear will always know
where the rear of his trailer is as he backs into a spot; however, there may not be the forward space required to make
the turn. Alternatively, the driver whose trailer has tandems pulled forward must be certain to clear objects on his
right-hand (blind) side because of the pivot point.
In difficult backing situations, it is always helpful to have another pair of eyes "on the ground" (someone to spot or help
you see). If you need help seeing, don't be afraid to ask for it. However, be aware that there may be situations
(especially in truck stop parking lots) in which the configuration of your rig simply will not make the turn required and
you will need to search for parking elsewhere. We have had this happen occasionally. It is irritating not to be able to
park in an empty spot, but it is better to give up trying to fit in where you can't than risk an accident.

Safe Driving: Hazards And Visibility

Some truck drivers have jokingly say that there are only two seasons of the year: winter and road construction.
Regardless of what time of the year it is, drivers of all vehicles need to watch out for:

road hazards -- including ruts, uneven lanes, rough roads, and pot holes;

objects in the road -- including pieces of tires, trash, and animals (dead and alive);

traffic and congestion;

construction zones;

lane restrictions;

vehicles on the road and shoulder; and

pedestrians walking along the road.

It can be very difficult to see some objects at night or in inclement weather. For this reason, one must never out-drive
his headlights and always be prepared to slow or stop.
A professional driver who practices safe driving works to keep his or her windshield, side windows and mirrors clean
so as not to hinder his or her ability to see. This can be challenging in any sort of inclement weather, especially in the
winter when the roads have been salted.
Similarly, since you want to be seen by others, the surfaces of lights on your tractor and trailer -- as well as reflective
strips -- need to be cleaned as often as necessary. Although it can be time-consuming to clean glass and reflective
surfaces, we believe that it is time well spent from a visibility standpoint.
Regarding the phrase "see and be seen," professional drivers should use their lights appropriately. We have found it
beneficial to use lights not only when it is dark but also during dawn and dusk hours. Review your trucking
company's recommendations regarding the use of low and high beams.
Flashers should be used whenever you encounter a sudden slow down in the normal speed of traffic or when you are
traveling at speeds under 40 mph, such as might occur if you are pulling a heavy load up a steep hill.
Clean and wear whatever corrective lenses (contacts or glasses) or sunglasses have been prescribed to you.
Consider the use of polarized sunglasses to reduce glare.

Safe Driving: Distractions And Alertness

Drivers can allow themselves to be distracted by many things:

use of electronics,

pets,

the radio,

music/CDs/tapes,

GPS units,

a personal computer mounted on a laptop workstation,

eating and drinking,

cell phones,

reading maps and directions,

smoking, etc.

Professional drivers of trucks and buses are not allowed to text while driving. A proposed rule would also ban their cell
phone use while driving. It is best to remember that when you're driving, you need to concentrate fully on driving.
When it comes to concentrating on driving, it is easier to stay alert if a driver takes proper care of his health. This
includes eating a well-balanced diet, engaging in adequate exercise and getting enough sleep. Many things can
impede a driver's ability to do these things, but they are all important.
Be aware of the effect of medication on driving. Never drink alcoholic beverages or take controlled substances in
connection with driving a big rig.
Professional drivers should always wear their seatbelts.

Safe Driving: Blind Spots And The "No Zone"

The trailer shown proclaims the message "Don't hang out in the NO-ZONE".
According to No-Zone Campaign Information, the goal of the No-Zone campaign "is to increase awareness of the NoZones -- danger areas like blind spots, around commercial vehicles, in which cars 'disappear' from the view of the
truck or bus driver. No-Zones are areas where crashes are more likely to occur."
This is part of a larger ShareTheRoadSafely.org effort.(5)(1)

Some motor carriers place signs on their tractors in driver blind spots that actually state, "WARNING YOU ARE IN MY
BLIND SPOT".
If your truck is governed or if you are surrounded by traffic, it may be difficult to encourage a driver who is traveling in
your blind spot to move. The only alternative we know of is to slow down and hope the other person keeps a steady
pace or accelerates so as to move.

One way to help reduce the size of blind spots on a truck is to reasonably increase the number and location of mirrors
on the tractor.

In this photo, you can see five mirrors outlined:

two hood-mounted mirrors (driver and passenger sides);

two folding side mirrors (driver and passenger sides); and

a mirror mounted above the window on the passenger side to see vehicles on that side of the truck that may
or may not be visible in the other two mirrors on that side.

One can have all the mirrors in the world, but they won't do any good unless you look at them regularly to monitor
traffic. Your company will probably have recommendations on how often you should turn your head (not just your
eyes) to look at your mirrors.

Safe Driving: Tires And Brakes

Your truck's tires should always be inflated to optimum levels. Be on the lookout for wear, embedded objects and
cracks. Some trailers have tire pressure monitoring systems which "re-inflate" tires that appear to be flat upon
inspection.
Brakes must be kept in proper adjustment. While many drivers rely upon their company's shops to keep their brakes
properly adjusted, it is helpful if they personally know how to adjust them.

Safe Driving: Conclusion

An article listing safe driving tips would be incomplete without a reference to the top 10 factors coded in fatal large
truck crashes and encouragement to reduce those factors in your work. A .pdf file on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration's website entitled "2009: Historic Truck Crash Declines" lists on page 21 the top 10 factors involved in
fatal truck crashes. If you reduce (or preferably eliminate) these factors in your work, you will go a long way toward
safely driving your truck.(3)

Money Saving Tip:

Many of us may have what Vicki's mom dubbed "The Superman Mentality," which she meant as an attitude that
nothing bad can happen to us no matter how bad our behavior. It's like the person is immune to the negative
consequences of his or her bad actions. When a person with this attitude actually receives negative consequences for
one or more of their bad actions, it comes as a surprise.
But it shouldn't.
Actions have consequences. The consequences may not be immediate, but they come sometime. They may affect
you personally; they may affect others. But they come.
When it comes to safe driving, a consistent investment in good behavior or actions can help keep (as much as you
can control) negative consequences minimized in your life. Of course, accidents do happen even to the safest of
drivers. But you can minimize the likelihood of those taking place by being cautious and not doing tasks too quickly.
Certain organizations, trucking associations and trucking companies honor drivers who have long histories of being
accident-free. Aim to be among those so honored one day.