U-Turn In Big Rig And.... Your Fired! ??

So I was given a driver portal log in from Werner to read through pre-orientation information, forms to fill out, benefits, etc. Also gives you the company polices, handbook, etc.

They have a list of immediate terminable offenses and one was a NO U turn policy? Can someone give me some insight on this? I don't recall reading anything that says its illegal for 18 wheelers to make this maneuver unless there is signage stating it.

Is this just considered a dangerous/ safety issue? I know you can't just whip a u turn anywhere.

Weird. There are many times and circumstances where a u-turn is necessary. I don`t know Brian. Maybe Guyjax can shed some light on the policy. I believe he drives for them.

U Turns are sometimes necessary yes. But the the idea of no u turns comes from a safety stand point. If you do a u turn suddenly there is a 53' trailer blocking the road and there is a change that someone can come along and run into the trailer while its blocking the road. Should people look and see it blocking the road and not hit the trailer? Sure. But a lawyer in court will argue if you had not been making a U Turn in the middle of the road their client would have not hit your trailer. Know what? Its true.

Companies would rather not have to deal with courts and a way to do that is to tell you not to do it. And since you are aware that you were not supposed to do it if something happens while doing it the liability falls right where it should.....on the driver's shoulders.

I respect that, it's Werner's policy then. I leave Tuesday for orientation in Omaha, and just reading all kinds of info through the drivers portal and that was something that stirred my curiosity. Thought maybe it was a damage control thing....like tearing up tires, or crunching cab by turning too sharp,asphalt damage, etc.

Thanks Guy

Somewhere at some time a driver made a U-Turn and it ended up costing the company millions in a Lawsuit. I'm sure that's why they are against Company Policy, when I was with Knight they had the same policy.

"Speculation Only" Mmmkkk.. Just don't do it! Unless your in a parking lot or dead end street of course but that's your judgement to make.

Wow, I need to start proof reading my stuff. So tired!

I have no problem respecting a companies policy, dealt with many of them managing for Home Depot.

I just wasn't sure if I was sleeping in school or something, because my driving instructor told me on my last day behind the wheel to never make a u turn in a truck.....then I read it on Werner's site....and had me wondering if I missed something in class about it.

Let's see . . . I can think of (one . . . two . . . three. . . ) SEVERAL times that if I hadn't made a U-Turn, I'd still be there . . . one thing though, the trailer can jack-knife so radically that it impacts and damages the "wings" most aero's have between the condo and the front of the trailer . . . AND you can get to where the trailer is actually traveling backwards for a few feet so watch out for obstacles that you don't want to leave an impression with, if you know what I mean . . .

Jopa

Not only is a safety issue from the standpoint of other vehicles running into you, but even more so a lot of people wind up doing damage to the fairings like Jopa said, they run into things like light poles and fences, or they wind up stuck on a soft shoulder or in a ditch. It's extremely difficult at times to judge whether or not you have enough room to make a U turn, especially for a new driver. It gets people into all kinds of trouble.

And companies will fire you for it. I've spoken with numerous drivers that were looking for a job after getting fired for making an illegal U turn. So take that policy seriously.

Swift has a no u turn and no right turn on red policy