Comments By Justin B.

That snow was crazy! Monday morning on my way to school had at least five cars in the median or ditch and then a Cola truck jack knifed almost in the median and another truck completely on its side in the median! Talk about a late winter here in Colorado

I forgot to add why my instructor said that. It sounds kind of negative in the wrong context, but today, fate had its way with testing me. Two that pops out were a really tight turn the other students were lucky enough to get without a car in the lane and this Mustang cut me off just to slow down and turn right 50 yards ahead and even slowed me down!

It seems to be amplified when they see that big lettering "Student Drivers". My instructor today said something along the lines of, if something bad happens, it's gonna happen to Justin. Monday was a similar day to any other. Because of the snow, the morning was all pretrip studying and the afternoon was driving in Brighton again because it cleared up pretty good.

Today was pretty nice and smooth. My issue seems to be still clutch control. We drove east of Commerce City, much of nothing, a few suburbs an but I still stalled twice. Learned that the left turn lights are my nemesis, considering my issues with the clutch, I try to be slower, but that simply won't do with the left lights. But I'm feeling otherwise confident. I mean, we have all been driving for short of a week because of the weather. I've been going hard on myself since the incident Saturday but I've finally let loose and forgot about it (not the lesson) but because that's just what I have to learn to so in this career.

I test Friday morning, but I do have to go to the DMV Thursday to remove my K restriction because tomorrow I finally turn 21. That's all I have really for today, sort of a mellow day, thanks for reading!

I'm just gonna go off my thread on the old forum. For those who didn't see it, it's just kind of a blog, entry style account of my time in school so others can read about it, get some insight.

Well, Friday was a good day. Started alley docking and I loved it. I love the idea of being able to point to a tractor trailer and saying "I can move that suckered anywhere" so I'm working really hard on the foundation of how to get from facing it at 12 o clock to 3 o clock into a dock. And then some driving in traffic. Ive already covered this day I just realized so I'll jump into the meaning of my title.

Saturday, we drove into Commerce City, right next to Sapp Bros and practiced turns and corners (really improved on that level) but I volunteered to drive back. I was in a left turning lane to get onto interstate 270. First of all, that light was QUICK but, no excuse... I'm also a little slow on my take off with the clutch (any advice? haha) but I was in the middle of the intersection by the time light turned green for everyone else. I had my tractor about to to clear it when a green Jeep Commander is coming at me at at least 30 miles an hour. This would be the slowest 15 seconds I've ever experienced. I saw her, she hadn't seen us yet. I didn't know what to do. I think I stopped or slowed down significantly, and she finally saw us and hit her brakes (thank baby Jesus for her good conditioned brakes) I was told by my shaking passengers she came within a couple feet of drilling my fuel tanks. I was freaked, and guess what, I still had about thirty miles of interstate to drive. At the end of the day, no vehicle collided and my future career was still alive.

Sobering lesson: Look the f*** out for everything! The asterisked bad word is necessary, if you ask me. It's a hard core lesson I learned, guys. If you think you're looking enough, look some more. You're not only driving for the company and yourself, but you HAVE to compensate for everybody else's (excuse the negativity) stupidity, laziness and selfishness. This is what I have concluded. In front of me were four lanes. Three were packed but the fourth was empty. Why? It became a turning lane after that light. Well, this lady, seeing the fresh green light, decided to beat the other traffic that properly prepared and merged already. It was my fault for being slow, but that's my point. I should have seen her and done everything I could to adapt and speed up. However, I am a student nonetheless. I am having issues with my clutch, but I also learned a lesson as a four-wheeler, be safe, observant and patient. Besides, how hard is a 13.5 foot tractor trailer to see in the middle of an intersection?

Anyways, no matter what, everything would have been my fault. MY career would have been gone and she would have gotten a new car... For being impatient and trying to cut the other cars off when her lane became a turning lane. Cover your butt, students. It's your safety, other drivers, and your career and maybe even your livelihood. And when a close call happens, shake it off and keep trucking.

Thanks guys! I'm enjoying my day off and test in three days. See you tomorrow!

Oh yeah, this lady had a blue heeler in the passenger seat that was in the floor board by the end of it... Poor puppy saw us, but she didn't (nobody saw how she was distracted).

I'm currently in school, but I learned I wanted to drive professionally when I started to deliver pizzas (I know, I sounds silly) and I not only love to to drive, I see it as a craft that I can get better at and maybe one day master. The OTR lifestyle also appeals to me in the route planning, Maneuvering in a dock, and the challenge of being a 100% safe driver.

I not only want to be a truck driver, but a professional driver. I think driving is a craft too many people ignore once they have the license (in a four wheeler, I mean) and that's why there are so many selfish and dangerous drivers. They think they're "good drivers" cause they can speed or steer with their knee (I am guilty of this one occasionally in my Camry) but I see a "good driver" as one who can be defensive, maneuver well, and is adaptable. That's my goal.