Comments By Paul C., Rubber Duckey

Remember it's not just your following distance, you should be observing traffic conditions upto 12 seconds in front of you when possible so you an react to what your driving into not just what the vehicle in front of you is doing.

Haha no.

Sure straight down hahaha

Cut some grass!!!

Every day Driver

BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS OUT

Not on the side of the freeway when u notice the smoke... Or blue/red wigwags at the bottom of the hill over that bridge you just crossed....pullin in behind you.....

A post trip is definitely recommended as well I have a pic posted on my photo list here that can show u what I mean. Silly thing was just hangin there....

Every day Driver

BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS OUT

Not on the side of the freeway when u notice the smoke... Or blue/red wigwags at the bottom of the hill over that bridge you just crossed....pullin in behind you.....

WOW SUNSHINE now don't take this wrong

Going from a nube kicking rocks cause u couldnt lift a tarp to pass the company physical.....to running loads across mountain passes I myself recently ran for the first time, ever in a big rig, I am truly impressed.

You are an inspiration for anyone male, female, short, tall, scrawny, buff, thick, young or old who wants to be a CMV Operator. I've read your posts since your first stumble and have been inspired myself to roll on and push through my own personal struggles in an attempt to match your enthusiasm and willingness to take that extra step to succeed.

Keep on Rollin GIRL. Congrats and safe drivin!!

Amen

OTR LIFE I love it

Of course, I love too drive, and I enjoy being by myself. Now I like talking to my wife and family I have spent hours on the phone and my home time after 3-4 weeks on the road is filled with goofin off and honey do's.

I tend to stay on the freeway and main routes. Most larger companies, 40+ trucks, prefer you use their suggested routes and fuel stops. I haven't wanted to get too adventuresome on the back roads,

pullin a 53 footer on a sleeper is no small thing and I've seen pictures and have actually had to rescue/recover a few drivers who wandered too far off the grid and got high centered on R.R. Tracks or dropped an axle or too into a culvert attempting turns on tiny roads. I used to operate 50 ton wreckers.

So it's the larger more traveled routes for me.

If u want numbers I'd have to say 95% of my routes are highways and major roads.

Now some of my delivery points have been nestled in the back of places quite far off the beaten path however.

Before u shut down or hit the sack set your trailer brakes and pull up slightly then set your tractor brakes this will eliminate the ability to pull the king pin release.

I check my pin lockers and release handle every time I leave a truck stop or rest area. Have heard to many horror stories bout sneaky f@@rs pullin the release.

I agree with Brett that driver was following way to close and too top it off he was traveling at speed with the traffic around him in the center lane with no OUT incase of an emergency. He chose to run at that speed and at that distance in a lane of travel that was dangerous for a tanker/hazmat load to be in I understand we all run on time constraints but to risk your life and other motorists lives to get to your destination is just not worth it. No load is that important.

On the suv comment about driving over the obstacle, if that is your thinking process behind the wheel of 80,000lbs, stay away from me driver.

We are the professionals out here we must anticipate the numbskull habits and unsafe driving styles of the 4wheelers around us none of them know what it takes to drive one of our trucks.

We all must remain vigilant in our driving techniques to be sure we don't "drive into an accident".

I feel for the deceased drivers family. I don't feel anything for him. He caused his own demise due too an aggressive and unsafe driving style. Fortunately no other motorists were injured, not what has been said "he saved the lives of the other motorists".

The age of the trailer has nothing to do with it. We have some that are 30 years old and even one that was hit by a train. Nice u shape that is weird when pulling but it runs straight behind you, axle to axle... LOL meaning it does not off track.

Our boss does not like to do maintenance either but I have discovered that if I write it up on the DVIR then it seems to get fixed. That is what it took for the windshields to get replaced and the fuel tank leak to get fixed. Once that paperwork is turned in then a mechanic has to sign off that it has been fixed and our mechanics will not do it unless they actually fix it.

Yeah during orientation the maintenance director was very adamant about not putting maintenance issue through the DVIR. Claiming a phone call would get issues resolved