No beating around the bush. I was wrong. I moved one lane to the left, making room for traffic coming in. After checking my mirrors, moved one lane to my right. That did not turn out well. I hit a car. There were no injuries. What can I do to improve my driving? And, where can I find a job?
You are fortunate there were no injuries.
When moving from one lane to another on a highway or interstate signal your intent before you move. Check your mirror on the side you are attempting to move to before you begin to move. Continue to check your mirror as you are changing lanes and leave you signal on until you are completely in the lane you moved to.
Exercise great care when changing lanes especially on your right side, drivers are inpatient and will come around you.
As far as your next employment options, apply to as many companies as you can.
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
You didn't work for crst did you??? We had a few mass messages over the quallcom about drivers getting fired for improper lane change...
Sounds more like you got fired for "hitting a car" rather than "improper lane change"
Sounds more like you got fired for "hitting a car" rather than "improper lane change"
They call it a improper lane change
Sounds more like you got fired for "hitting a car" rather than "improper lane change"
They call it a improper lane change
So if I run a red light and t-bone someone, they would fire me for "failure to obey traffic signal" and not "fatal accident?"
Sounds more like you got fired for "hitting a car" rather than "improper lane change"
They call it a improper lane change
So if I run a red light and t-bone someone, they would fire me for "failure to obey traffic signal" and not "fatal accident?"
Since no one was hurt in his accident, the company was probably doing him a favor on his DAC. Yes, in reality he was probably fired for sticking a 4 Wheeler.
In your hypothetical, if a death occurred there would be criminal charges, and another 20/20 TV special. Failure to obey a traffic signal would be the least of your worries.
I am glad no one got hurt. Sometimes there are very hard lessons on the road. But you will more vigilant about safety, now, too.
Stay safe
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
I was driving for Werner. Yes, I'm sure hitting a car was what actually got me fired. Am now trying to decide between PAM and PTL. Any advice welcome.
I was driving for Werner. Yes, I'm sure hitting a car was what actually got me fired. Am now trying to decide between PAM and PTL. Any advice welcome.
Contact them both and choose the one with the most to offer.
Regarding the accident, it's great that it didn't turn out worse for either the people in the car or in traffic, including you.
Good luck, and be safe(r) out there.
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I hope everything works out great for you. I also want to applaud you for taking responsibility for your mistake, instead of coming on here bashing company, saying they're to blame as we see far too often on here.
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No beating around the bush. I was wrong. I moved one lane to the left, making room for traffic coming in. After checking my mirrors, moved one lane to my right. That did not turn out well. I hit a car. There were no injuries. What can I do to improve my driving? And, where can I find a job?