Don't You Dare Miss That Sign - Article By Old School

Here's another great article by Old School:

Don't You Dare Miss That Sign

One thing that every new driver struggles with a little bit is learning to read every single road sign they pass. Not just some of them, not just most, but every last one. Missing a sign can get you into a huge mess - low bridges, restricted routes, getting off-route, going into the wrong enterance, and more.

Reading every sign is a habit you'll have to develop as a new driver, and it's one you'll want to develop real fast!

Don't You Dare Miss That Sign

Great article Old School.

I am often asked by non-truckers the biggest difference between driving a big rig vs a car. Other than the obvious size and weight differences; my answers always focus on signs and how important they are to trucks.

Your point about the autonomous trucks interpreting signs accurately and taking appropriate action,...I addressed this issue in a more general way, in one of the recent threads pointing out the need for comprehensive stress testing. Testing goes beyond lane control and GPS tracking.

Love to hear our new member Jeremy's take on this.

I just told my trainee "This article reiterates everything i have been driling into your head"

good one OS!

I always read the yellow caution, white direction, & green road signs . I've gotten into the habit of ignoring the blue ones, they make me hungry with all the restaurant listings.

Awesome article, and something that was not even on my radar - EVEN THOUGH THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I'VE GOTTEN TO DATE. My biggest traffic complaint on any given day is jusy how oblivious people can be while operating their four-wheel death machines. But it seems I'm just as oblivious because I rarely give most signs any notice unless I'm looking for something specific (usually related to a route number or street name.) What a hugely important topic to cover. Very nice job, Old School!

Love to hear our new member Jeremy's take on this.

I wrote up a response and posted it elsewhere so as not to hijack this very important (and awesome) post.

Automated Vehicles Set To Take Over Trucking Industry

I never piaid much attention to signs until I started driving a lot and they're the most helpful thing ever. Recently I'm even noticing the local bridge "Axle weight limit" signs that I had never known existed in the last 10 years. (I think one nearby said 24,000 lbs)

They always pop up at the bridge, so they don't seem very helpful if you are on the wrong route, already overweight for them, stopped right before the bridge. What do you do about that?

I'm from the dinosaur age like a few others here. The state that I lived in when I was 15 (Illinois) required driver's education to get a drivers permit AND to graduate from high school too. It was a semester long class and we were taught the Smith System, defensive driving, were CPR certified too. Reading and obeying ALL road signs (traffic control devices) was drilled into us from day one. It's something I've always done so has been an ingrained habit for 40 years for me.

We didn't have cell phones, GPS devices, and many of the distractions out there now. For the youngsters on here.. reading EVERY sign is critical to your safety and your success as a professional driver..

During my road test with my company i had to read every sign aloud. Where is the pictured rattlesnake sign. I love snakes! Reading signs has made driving more safe to operate.

With my DMV test in Davenport Iowa there is a low bridge on US 61. 11'8 I believe. It is marked clearly 5 miles away, yet somehow people still manage to hit it despite having a last minute turn off next to it besides several before reaching it.....

Funny thing is we were warned that our tester would ask us about the low bridge shortly after passing the sign so before she had an opportunity I stated "the sign we just passed indicates there is a low bridge, 11'8 5 miles ahead. If we were continuing on US 61 I would need to find an alternate route." She smiled and said good job. Now what sign did we just pass. Happened to be a speed limit 45 mph. While trying to find that picture turns out it's pretty frequent so pages have popped up calling it "truck eating bridge".

Where is the pictured rattlesnake sign. I love snakes! Reading signs has made driving more safe to operate.

That was in West Texas. It's almost desert like over there, and the rattle snakes love it out there.