- You shouldn't roll backwards
- On a grade of more than 3 degrees
- In a thunderstorm
- When there is nobody behind you.
From The CDL Manual
Do not roll back when you start. You may hit someone behind you. Partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Release the parking brake only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back. On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling back.
- These are all things that should be observed to back safely
- Use a helper
- Turn towards driver's side
- Look at your path
From The CDL Manual
Backing Safely — Because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle, backing is always dangerous. Avoid backing whenever you can. Park so you will be able to pull forward when you leave. When you have to back, follow these safety rules:
- Look at your path – Look at your line of travel before you begin. Get out and walk around the vehicle. Check your clearance to the sides and overhead in and near the path your vehicle will take.
- Back slowly – Always back as slowly as possible. Use the lowest reverse gear so you can more easily correct any steering errors. You also can stop quickly if necessary.
- Back and turn toward driver?s side – Back to the driver’s side so you can see better. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you cannot see as well. If you back and turn toward the driver’s side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window. Use driver-side backing—even if it means going around the block to put your vehicle in this position. The added safety is worth it.
- Use a helper – Use a helper when you can. There are blind spots you cannot see. The helper should stand near the back of your vehicle where you can see the helper. Before you begin backing, work out a set of hand signals that you both understand. Agree on a signal for “stop.”
- 30 seconds
- As far as they can see
- 12-15 seconds
- 12-15 yards
From The CDL Manual
Most good drivers look 12-15 seconds ahead. That means looking ahead the distance you will travel in 12-15 seconds. At lower speeds, that’s about one block. At highway speeds it’s about one-quarter of a mile. If you are not looking that far ahead, you may have to stop too quickly or make quick lane changes. Looking 12-15 seconds ahead does not mean not paying attention to things that are closer. Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far.
- Only if it is not raining
- When they are with 100 yards of you
- Never
- Only during the daytime
From The CDL Manual
Do not Direct Traffic
Some drivers try to help out others by signaling when it is safe to pass. You should not do this. You could cause an accident, you could be blamed, and it could cost you thousands of dollars.
- Wherever it seems logical and safe
- Place warning devices 10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic
- within 10 feet of the front or rear corners to mark the location of the vehicle and 100 feet behind and ahead of the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you are stopped in
- Within 100 feet of the front or rear corners to mark the location of the vehicle and 10 feet behind and ahead of the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you are stopped in
From The CDL Manual
On a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions or on an undivided highway, place warning devices within 10 feet of the front or rear corners to mark the location of the vehicle and 100 feet behind and ahead of the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you are stopped in (see Figure 2-9 on page 28).
- 100 feet
- 60 feet
- 250 yards
- At least 419 ft
From The CDL Manual
Total stopping distance –
At 55 mph it will take about 6 seconds to stop and your vehicle will travel the distance of a football field (60 + 60 + 170 = 290 feet).
- 4 times
- 290 feet
- 100 feet
- 2 times
From The CDL Manual
Effect of speed on stopping distance:
Whenever you double your speed, it takes about four times as much distance to stop, and your vehicle will have four times the destructive power if it crashes. High speeds increase stopping distances greatly. By slowing down a little, you can gain a lot in reduced braking distance.
- Black ice
- Hydroplaning
- Jetpacking
- Water skiing
From The CDL Manual
Hydroplaning:
In some weather, water or slush collects on the road. When this happens, your vehicle can hydroplane. It is like water skiing: the tires lose contact with the road and have little or no traction. You may not be able to steer or brake. You can regain control by releasing the accelerator and pushing in the clutch. This will slow your vehicle and let the wheels turn freely. If the vehicle is hydroplaning, do not use the brakes to slow down. If the drive wheels start to skid, push in the clutch to let them turn freely.
- 150 feet
- 10 car lengths
- 10 seconds for every 10 feet of length
- 1 second for every 10 feet of length
From The CDL Manual
One good rule for how much space you should keep in front of you is at least 1 second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. At greater speeds, you must add 1 second for safety
- Can be safely ignored
- Should not be assumed to be correct, and extra caution should be used
- Should be trusted without further question
- Only apply to over-sized loads
From The CDL Manual
Do not assume that the weights and heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Repaving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted.