14 Steps to Be Better

Source:http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-starting-career-as-truck-driver-536664.htmlhttp://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Annoying-Other-Drivershttp://www.wikihow.com/Take-Better-Noteshttp://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/09/04/5-tips-from-usa-best-truck-driver/http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Better-Driver

TRUCK DRIVER

Focus. Paying attention to the traffic around you, fre-quently surveying your mirrors, and anticipating what other drivers are going to do is the most important step to becoming a courteous and safe driver.

Keep in mind that it is courteous to allow a vehicle to turn into traffic if the driver is waiting for a break. Do not, however, suddenly slam the brakes in moving traffic in order to let a driver enter. This will most likely lead to a fender bender or worse, a collision from the unsuspecting driver behind you.

Use your turn signals, and use them at the right time. Notify other drivers of your intent to turn or to change lanes early enough that they are able to take appropriate action. Sitting at a red light is NOT the right time to turn on your blinker; if you had done so earlier, the person behind you would have been able to change lanes and avoid sitting behind you when the light turns green.

Remember: maintaining a decently comfortable distance between you and the driver ahead of you is an excellent rule of thumb. You should keep at least 2 to 4 seconds distance between you and the

person in front of you. You can use the signs or the paint dashes to judge this distance.

Make an effort to change lanes when safe if you see utility work, police and emergency vehicles up ahead, or see a lane starting to slow down to a crawl while the opposite lanes are open or have less traffic.

Understand that the majority of drivers just aim to get to their destination, just like everyone else does. Acci-

dents happen, but you can take a few steps to prevent many of them from occurring, either to

yourself or others.

If you are signaled to stop by the police, be nice to the officer and they may let you go despite violating a traffic law. It will depend on what you did and the

traffic conditions as to the offense. Not all officers are out to write tickets.

Don't use the shoulder or median to get around people not moving with traffic. You will get nailed no

matter how many cars you pass.

Note that residential areas are common grounds for children to run spontaneously into the streets without looking for oncoming cars. Their minds focus on retrieving their ball in the street or catching up to friends by suddenly crossing roads on bikes, for

instance.

Remember that trucks often give their drivers difficulty stopping, turning, or backing up, we, as drivers, have all

witnessed this. When passing a semi-truck, keep in When passing a semi-truck, keep in mind that the truck driver has more diffi-culty braking. It is best to wait until you can see the truck in your rear-view mirror before completing a pass.

Be courteous of the senior citizens, as well. Senior citizens need to drive just

like everyone else. This is especially the case when they This is especially the case when they have no other means to obtain essen-tials. Most senior citizens, however, tend to prefer driving during early afternoons when there is less traffic and more

daylight.

65 MPH

U.S. Interstate Highway

Speed Limit

Allow someone to pass, if you happen to see them going beyond the speed limit. This is no 1950s drag race. Proving your need for speed leads to dangerous circumstances between your car and other cars.

Never switch lanes when in the middle of an intersection. Also, time your entry into an intersection so that you don't get caught blocking it once the light turns red (i.e. "don't block the box").

NEVER try to "beat the light." If the light turns yellow and you have enough space to stop safely, then stop.