General Driving

This section of the Professional Driver Development Program is for those who already have their Commercial Driver’s License. It’s not a complete program but rather, general tips to improve safety on the road while you work.

The only parts of the trucking industry that are federally regulated, are the hours of service and the use of electronic log devices. All other laws, policies, safety regulations, and safety practices are regulated by each province, territory, or state. Therefore laws will vary from place to place.

Fines and demerit points will also vary according to your current location. Please check locally to ensure you are following all guidelines in the safest possible way. These suggestions are simply that. They are suggestions that were written to reduce the loss of life on our highways, interstates, and city streets. This is by no means the only safe practice you should be following but just a start.

Get To Know Your Truck

You may have an assigned truck that only you will use for each trip or you may share trucks with other drivers. Either way, you are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the truck you use. When it needs repairs, you need to notify the technicians and ensure it is repaired properly. When it gets dirty, you need to have it cleaned. It will become your home away from home and your responsibility. One day you may notice a new sound, or it just feels different. If something changes with your truck, you will notice, so you need to pay closer attention to your inspections to figure out what’s changed. Don’t ignore that feeling that something is different. Find the problem and get it fixed.

Interstate Legend

You will never need a compass but will be able to figure out exactly where you are and what direction you are traveling in. The interstate system, (major highways), in the U.S.A. are a genius masterpiece and are easy to navigate. All even numbered interstates run east / west. All odd numbered interstates run north / south. On odd numbered interstates, the mile marker numbers increase going north and decrease going south. On even numbered interstates, the mile marker numbers increase going west and decrease going east. As an example: If you are on interstate 75 and the mile marker says mile 35 and the next mile marker says mile 36, you are going north.

Three-digit Interstates with an even first number that form a complete circle bypass around a city, feature mile markers that are numbered in a clockwise direction, beginning just west of an Interstate that bisects the circle route near a south location. Mile markers are actually 1 mile apart and exit numbers correspond with the mile markers. As an example: exit 83 is at mile marker 83.

Use Of 4-Way Flashers

Anytime you are traveling 20 KPH or more below the posted speed limit, you are required to use your hazard lights. This warns anyone behind you that you are traveling slower than they are, so they don’t run into you. This can be when going up hills or mountains, entering or exiting the highway, in bad weather, or if there is a problem ahead that others may not be able to see. During slowdowns for weather, traffic, or construction, don’t leave your hazard lights on if you are moving at the same speed as the rest of the traffic.

Highway Shoulders

Do not stop your truck on the shoulder of any major highway or interstate. Even if you can only do 10 KPH, put on your 4 ways and use the shoulder to get to the next exit but don’t stop unless you have a fire or air leak that prevents your truck from moving. People are not paying attention to you and will run right into you. Also, if you need a technician, it is unsafe for them to work on your truck on the side of the road. Use onramps, offramps, pull-offs, rest areas, or a truck stop to get repairs done.

Pay attention to road signs that pertain to the shoulders. You may see one that indicates “soft shoulders” or “no edge lines”. A soft shoulder will maybe not support the weight of your truck and you could slide sideways into a ditch. No edge lines means that there are no pavement markings, so no paint, to warn you that you are close to the pavement edge. You don’t want to have your tires go off the pavement so stay a little towards the left side of your lane. If you need to leave the travel lanes in an emergency, slow right down before moving towards gravel, dirt, grass, or anything that is not pavement. Try to avoid unpaved areas after rain. They will be soft and squishy.

Instrument Panel

Your truck has lots of gauges to help you determine the safest way to operate your truck. They are not just there to make the dash look pretty, so use them as intended. Scan your gauges once every few minutes. A quick look at your oil pressure, oil temperature, air gauges, engine temperature, fuel gauge and DEF gauge can save you a world of trouble before it becomes an emergency. Watching your engine temperature gauge and air gauges are vital in the mountains.

Be sure to look in the driver side mirror every 5 minutes if you are pulling a climate controlled trailer (reefer or heater), or a trailer with a tire inflation system. Check the lights for these items and ensure that they are not indicating a problem with your trailer.

Travel Lanes

Always travel in the far-right lane as this is the travel lane. The center lane is used for passing only and should not be used for travel except in stop and go traffic jams. You can travel in the center lane to avoid ramp traffic entering and exiting the highway during this time. If traffic is moving, stay in the right lane. The far-left lane is used for emergency vehicles and overflow traffic. Usually, the left lane is marked with no trucks so watch for signs on bridges or shoulders and DO NOT drive in the left lane.

Road Lamps or Fog Lights

These smaller lights are located below your headlights on each side if your truck is equipped with them. They are pointed slightly downward to illuminate the road in bad weather. They should not be used during the day or on clear nights. Only use them in heavy fog, heavy rain, a snowstorm, or when you are well away from other traffic. You will blind other drivers if you don’t use them correctly.

Approaching Intersections

Intersections can be very busy places and are where most accidents occur. If you are approaching an intersection with a green light, scan left and right for cross traffic, pedestrians, children running, bikes, scooters, and the pedestrian crossing signal and countdown. Do this far enough in advance that you can stop BEFORE you enter the intersection in order to avoid a collision.

If there is a car coming from the side street that is not slowing, that driver may be drunk, on their cell phone, or have a medical emergency and will run the red light. They are at fault for running the red but so are you. This is considered a preventable accident because you could have prevented the accident simply by turning your head and looking for cross traffic. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to wind up under your fuel tanks.

If the pedestrian crossing countdown is a single digit, you probably won’t make it so start slowing down. Give yourself lots of time to slow down and stop for red lights. On wet roads you need a greater distance to slow down and stop so adjust your driving habits in bad weather. Leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you to go out around them if needed.

Speed On Curves & Turns

It doesn’t matter how late you are; you will not be making up time on curves or bends. Watch for speed signs and ensure you are down below that speed BEFORE beginning to turn the steering wheel. If the sign says 35 KPH, do 30 KPH or 25 KPH but don’t do a higher speed. The easiest way to flip your truck is to step on the brake with the wheel turned. Slow down first and watch for warning signs of danger on blind bends.

Headlight Use

You would be absolutely amazed at the number of times people pull out in front of truck then say, “Geez officer, I never saw him coming”. The only thing we can do to make ourselves more visible to others is to drive with our lights on. Any time your truck is in motion, your headlights need to be on. Your taillights work with your headlights not daytime running lights. Setting your headlights to automatic will not turn on your rear lights during daylight hours.

While you are sitting waiting for another driver to back up, before you leave your truck, and other times when you are stopped other than on a public roadway, pull your brakes and turn off your headlights. We don’t want to blind other drivers, especially when they are relying on their mirrors to back up. This is just common curtesy to our fellow family members.

Where To Park

The first place that you will not park is in a fuel island or weigh scale at truck stops. This is part of how these businesses generate revenue to pay their employees and you can’t interfere with their business. The drivers who do this are ignorant and selfish. Don’t be like them. Practice backing up until you get good. Since there are so many drivers that have a hard time backing, there are usually parking spots in the back row. Be better, be more professional, stand out above the rest.

Don’t ever park on the shoulder of a public roadway and always be aware of your surroundings. Arkansas will ticket you if your truck is on a road shoulder and you are not in the driver’s seat. Ensure you are not blocking businesses, other vehicles, side roads, pedestrian walkways, no parking zones, fuel pumps, or scales.

Road Hazards - Animals

Please don’t come charging into my office to call me an animal hater. I’m not, but you are worth much more than little Billy’s pet dog. If you are driving and any kind of animal that is smaller than an elephant runs out in front of you, by all means hit the brakes but DO NOT turn the wheel. To prevent swerving, press your elbows against your sides and keep them there. This will greatly decrease your ability to turn the steering wheel, so you don’t flip your truck or wind up in a ditch.

There is nothing in this world more valuable than a human life and you are not replaceable. For large animals such as a deer or moose, take your foot off the brake and steer to the head if you can’t stop safely without hitting it. If you hit the body, it will come up over the hood and through your windshield. Hitting the head will spin the animal to the side instead. We will always try to stop first but don’t risk your life for an animal.

C.V.O.R. & Abstracts

A Commercial Vehicle Operators Record (CVOR) is automatically assigned to you as soon as your license class changes to a commercial license. Everything you do behind the wheel of any commercial vehicle is recorded on your CVOR whether it is something good, something bad, or something neutral. Unlike your driver abstract, you don’t want your CVOR blank. Let me explain.
Let’s say you are pulled into a scale house and inspected but no defects are found. This is recorded on your CVOR and will remain there for a period of 5 years. This shows your employer that you are doing your inspections, paperwork, load securement, placards, driving properly, etc. properly and completely. You want your CVOR many pages long, but you only want good things on those pages.

Any infractions, fines, tickets, etc. you receive in a commercial vehicle will also be recorded and that kind of stuff you don’t want on there. The more negative things on your CVOR, the harder it will be to get a job. Employers will look at you as a liability. You also must keep in mind that any fines, tickets, or points that you receive, our company also receives. We have over 700 drivers, and their points also go to the company.

The more points the company gets, the lower our safety rating is. The company is subject to disciplinary action which may include huge fines, license plate confiscation, or fleet grounding which will cost other drivers their jobs. Don’t play games or risk your CVOR because it isn’t just your ability to find work that will be affected.

Basic Math - U-Turns

How long is your trailer? What is the overall length of your truck and trailer? Do you really need 40 acres to turn your rig around? Let’s look at the very basics of size. I have no idea just how many videos of trucks trying to pull U-turns on 2 lane roads because of low bridges that I have watched but far too many.

Your trailer is 53 feet or 16.16 meters.

Most traffic lanes are 11 feet or 3.36 meters wide.

You need 5 lanes of roadway or 4 lanes in a wide, unobstructed intersection.

Your total length can’t exceed 74.75 (74’9”) feet or 22.78 meters so when determining how best to turn around, you must also consider your turning radius. Volvos will turn tighter than Kenworth will, so you need more room for a Kenworth to complete a U-turn. If you won’t fit easily, go to the next exit and backtrack.

The maximum width of a commercial truck is 8.5 (8’6”) feet or 2.59 meters and this is important to understand when traveling through construction zones or tunnels. The minimum bridge height clearance needed is 13.5 (13’6”) feet or 4.15 meters.

Basic Math - Passing

You don’t have to be good at math to understand how easy it is for one person to cause miles long traffic jams simply by being inconsiderate of other drivers. In Ontario, all heavy trucks must have speed limiters set to no more than 105 KPH. If your truck is restricted to 105 KPH and the truck in front of you is governed to 104.5 KPH, you will have to slow down a bit to avoid hitting him. Simple so far, right?

How long do you honestly think you will follow that same truck if you don’t try to pass him? An hour? Two hours? One of you will exit the highway or change highways. Even if it happens that you are heading in the same direction and you follow him for 6 hours, it doesn’t make any difference in the grand scheme of things. You will only lose 3 KMs over that 6-hour period but will wind up in the exact same truck stop for the night.

Your greatest asset in this industry is patience. If you try to pass the truck in front of you, it may take 10 minutes or more. You will be blocking everyone behind you from being able to pass and you will create ridiculous traffic jams. Don’t be one of these ignorant drivers. Maybe someone is trying to get a loved one to a hospital. You have no idea who you are blocking so please don’t.

Pedestrian Crossing

Because our trucks are so big, we also have big blind spots. Today we must be even more aware of who and what is around us. You will hear the expression that you need to have your head on a swivel. Pedestrians are not paying attention to you, so you must pay attention to them. Stop before crosswalks especially while turning in case someone steps off the curb. There may be someone in a wheelchair who needs to cross, someone that has let go of a baby stroller or shopping cart, or even children running around in front of you. Stay behind the white line until you can fully complete your turn without interfering with people or other traffic.

Always Have An Out

While driving on highway or city streets, you must make split second decisions safely and efficiently. You will do this all day long and make thousands of subconscious decisions. Should I speed up? Should I slow down? Should I change lanes? Always know what’s around you. Scan as far ahead as possible on the road and shoulders in case something suddenly happens in front of you. Adjust your speed in case you must change lanes or go to the shoulder quickly. Press your elbows to your sides to reduce movement and don’t jerk the steering wheel. The right land provides you with the safest possible outcome so always travel in the right lane when possible.

Backing On City Streets

NO!! Enough said. DO NOT ever back up on a city street, not even one foot without first getting out of your truck and walking to the back to speak to anyone who happens to be behind you. If you have someone else with you, ask them to do traffic control while you back up. You have huge blind spots at the back of your trailer. If you are alone, let the car behind you know that you need to back up and ask them to block traffic for you. If you have no one to help you, call 911. The police are happy to come out and block traffic for you to back up but ensure you have no other options first, and that you need to back up more than just a couple of feet before notifying the police. Think and plan to avoid finding yourself in this position.

Forms Of Communication

Regardless of whether you have Bluetooth or a hands-free device, just leave things alone. You are being paid to do your job safely, efficiently, professionally, and courteously. You are not being paid to read text messages or talk on your phone. Sure, you can listen to the radio or bring some CDs, however, don’t let finding a radio station be the reason your truck winds up off the road and in a ditch. Your life is worth more than a few minutes of peace and quiet. You can also always sing out loud and keep yourself entertained without being distracted.

The exception to this is a CB. This is short form for citizen band radio and in my humble opinion, they should be mandatory for all heavy trucks. Once you have some extra money, go buy yourself a CB and hook it up in your truck if your unit isn’t already equipped with one. While driving, leave it on channel 19 which is the trucker’s channel. Remember you are out there driving a giant mobile billboard with your company name and phone number on it so be professional, courteous, and helpful or be quiet on the radio.

It is the only way to find out what’s around the next blind bend and Google can’t tell you that. It can also be used to get local information for truck entrances that may be on a side street and your GPS won’t tell you that. You don’t have to watch it or even talk on it, but you should be listening to it. One day you just might thank me for telling you to get one. If you know in advance traffic is stopped right around that next bend, you can start slowing down well in advance and avoid becoming part of the pileup.

Turns & Curves

While going around left turns or curves, stay to the right side of your lane so your trailer doesn’t go into oncoming traffic lanes. Check your left mirror frequently. While going around right turns and curves, stay towards the left side of your lane so your trailer doesn’t go off the pavement. Check your right mirror frequently.

Backing Off The Road

Although it is very rare, you may occasionally arrive at a shipper / receiver where the loading dock is right at the front of the property. For this, you will need to back into the dock from the road instead of driving onto the property and then back into the dock. This follows the same as backing while on city streets. Try to find someone to help you block traffic if you are on a busy street. If it is a very quiet location, make sure you are looking at BOTH mirrors and go slow. Make sure you check your surroundings before backing for overhead obstructions and pay attention to the sidewalks. Always use your 4-ways when backing.

Low Bridges

The maximum height of your truck can’t exceed 13.5 (13’6”) feet or 4.12 meters. Do not enter or turn onto “no truck” routes and watch for roadside warning signs around bridges. Never attempt to go under a bridge that is marked less than the height of your truck. Unmarked bridges must be over 16 feet or 4.88 meters but that doesn’t mean the sign didn’t fall off. Get out and look if you’re unsure. If other trucks are passing under it without issue, you should be safe as well. If you find that you will not fit under the bridge, call the police and ask for help to back out of that area and find another route that is meant for heavy trucks.

Food, Showers, Sleep, Health

Back in the day, just a couple of years ago 😊 truck stops were very different than they are now. Most had real restaurants where you could get a good, hot, home cooked meal. Although it was a little expensive to eat in restaurants every day, it was much healthier than what we have now. All drivers sat at the same truckers table together regardless of who you drove for, what you drove, what language you spoke, what colour your skin is, and what your gender was. We are all one family.

Most truck stops have nothing but fast-food franchises inside now which are not the healthiest or most cost-effective options. Staying healthy while you’re away from home can be challenging but try different options. All our trucks have fridges, and you can easily find all sorts of small appliances that have plugs that work in the outlets of your truck. You can also buy inverters that you can use regular electrical plugs with if your truck isn’t equipped with one. Microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, frying pans, and much more can be plugged right into your truck’s outlets providing you with many healthier options while on the road.

Every time you fill up your diesel fuel and DEF fluid for your truck, you earn points and free showers. Don’t forget to use your point cards and fuel every day even if you have only used ½ tanks of fuel or are going home that day. Keep extra showers saved just in case you get stuck somewhere for a day or two.

The only remedy for fatigue is sleep. Coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, exercise, or other things that feel may help are only good for a very short period. The first sign of fatigue is tunnel vision. If you stop checking your mirrors every 7 – 10 seconds, it’s time to sleep. The next thing is hallucinations and that is dangerous. Driving tired is the same as driving impaired.
You also need to keep your body healthy with exercise. While safely parked, go for a walk or bring some exercise items with you and use them. Stretching can be done safely inside your truck and helps a great deal. Stay healthy out there.

Stopping Distances

Back to basic math and just how much room do you need to stop a truck? The simple answer is that it varies according to your brake adjustment, weight, speed, load stability, road conditions, weather conditions and temperature, and whether you are on an incline or decline. I realize that may sound complicated by it really isn’t. I will explain it simply so you can understand and remember easily.

Our example truck will require a stopping distance of 25 feet or 7.62 meters while on a city street with a normal brake application.

It will weight 32,000 lbs. or 14,515 kgs while it is empty and travel at 31 MPH or 50 KPH

If we then take our truck onto the highway and double the speed to 62 MPH or 100 KPH, we need 4 times the distance or 100 feet or 30.48 meters to stop. If we double the speed, it’s 4 times the distance to safely stop our truck.

If we take our truck and load it with 32,000 lbs. or 14,515 kgs of freight doubling the weight, it will then take double the stopping distance so 50 feet or 15.24 meters to stop.

If we take our loaded truck weighing 64,000 lbs. or 29,030 kgs on a highway and travel at 63 mph or 100 kph we need 8 times the distance or 200 feet or 61 meters to safely stop our truck.

Double the weight – 2 times the distance to safely stop your vehicle.
Double the speed – 4 times the distance to safely stop your vehicle.
Double the weight & speed – 8 times the distance to safely stop your vehicle.

Cruise Control

One of my favourite pieces of technology and a must have while you are driving on long trips, is cruise control. It allows you to change position and move your legs around and avoid cramping. I usually drive with my left foot in the door pocket and even though my right foot is not on the accelerator, it is never more than a couple of inches from the brake pedal. You must always have complete control of your truck so keep your feet close to the pedals. This includes the ability to speed up or slow down as necessary.

You don’t want your cruise control to accelerate on wet or icy roads when you least expect it. Ensure your cruise is turned off in bad weather, on wet roads or roads covered in debris such as grass clippings or wet leaves. It isn’t good enough to just have it disengaged, turn it off until you are on dry roads again.

Blind-Side Backing & Passing

The right side of your vehicle is called the blind side for a reason. You really can’t see much of anything even with 3 or 4 mirrors. It won’t take long before you see some cowboy with his bunk curtain covering the passenger side window of his truck. I shouldn’t have to tell you, but he can’t safely change lanes or turn corners. Besides the fact that it is illegal to block any part of your windows or windshield, it’s just irresponsible and stupid.

Always travel in the right lane and don’t make others pass you on the right. If you go into the middle lane to pass, return to the right lane once you are past the vehicle you are passing. Don’t pass other trucks on their right side either. Patience is a virtue so stay behind him in the center lane and wait for him to move. You can also try politely asking him to return to the right lane and allow you to pass on the CB using channel 19. Not all drivers use CBs anymore, but I hope they make a huge comeback very soon.

Blind side backing is difficult and can be very time consuming. Always try to get your parking space or dock on the driver’s side so you can see properly. Otherwise, you may be getting out of your truck several times to ensure your trailer is going in the correct direction. In theory it sounds easy. You just do everything backwards but be very cautious and go slow.

Road Signs & No Truck Routes

These signs could save your life by warning you of potential hazards such as a bridge out, steep grade, falling rocks, animal crossing, slow moving vehicles, and many more. There really is no limit to the signs and you need to not only notice them but read and understand them. There are many kinds of road signs to give you directions, mileage, amenities at exits, attractions, locations, hazards, construction zones, school zones, it’s never ending.

All road signs are important but no truck routes, weight limits, bridge heights, and grade information are the most important to us. If you see a no truck sign, do not go on that road. It is there for a reason, and you won’t know the reason until it is too late. There may be a low bridge or a bridge that has a weight restriction. I have seen 2 historic bridges destroyed by grossly undertrained or ignorant truck drivers. Over a century old one of them, and now it’s gone. Make sure you know your dimensions and weight and don’t be like some other drivers. Stand above the rest and shine brighter.

You will see signs that indicate an axle weight for that road. Signs indicating 3 tons per axle mean you can bobtail or go on it without a trailer. If you see 5 tons per axle, you can have a load no more than 18,000 lbs. or 8,165 kgs. A ton equals 2,000 lbs. or 907 kgs. Reefer trailers weight more by about 2,000 lbs. or 907 kgs.

Construction Zones

Speed limits are lower in construction zones, and you need to slow down. Speed fines are doubled in construction areas and if you injure or kill a construction worker, you are going to prison. Move over as far as possible around workers or straddle the shoulder to create more space. Do not pass other trucks and watch for signs indicating which lanes you are to travel in. Many places will have signs that say all trucks use left lane. You will drive in the left lane only until instructed otherwise by signage. Please use extreme caution around construction zones because the workers are not paying attention to you. They are simply doing their job the same as you are doing your job.

Emergency Vehicles

When you see flashing lights ahead of you on the road, you need to make some decisions. The law requires you to leave a full lane between you and any emergency vehicle on the road but is that enough room. Which vehicles are emergency vehicles? I will make this very simple for you. If it has flashing lights, you will treat it as an emergency vehicle. This includes police, fire, paramedics, tow trucks, road plows, salt trucks, mobile service technicians, tire guys, cars on the shoulder, and other trucks. If I have missed anyone you can write it in, so you don’t forget.

Underneath your trailer can create a vacuum but at the very least, you create a ton of wind that will rock a vehicle as you pass. You can also suck a bicycle or scooter under your trailer as you pass so you must use great caution when passing people and vehicles. Leave a full lane between you and others or slow right down accordingly. Imagine passing a car on the shoulder and as you approach, the driver opens their door and jumps out. Don’t take chances.

Over-Width Loads

Speaking of giving others enough room to be safe, we will talk about over width loads. Although our company doesn’t do oversized loads, you need to be aware of their requirements to leave them enough room as you are driving around them. Oversized loads simply mean they are bigger than your standard loads and may overhang their trailers.

Over height is greater than 13.5 (13’6”) feet or 4.12 meters, over width is greater than 8.5 (8’6”) feet or 2.59 meters, over length is greater than 74.75 (74’9”) feet or 22.78 meters. They must have banners or warning signs indicating they are larger than normal, so you will know to use caution around them. If there is more than one trailer, it is called “Trains”.

So, what you need to know is that flatbed loads that are greater than the width of their trailer will mostly drive partly on the shoulder. This way they don’t block more than one lane. Many bridges and overpasses don’t have shoulders and these drivers will need to straddle the right and center lanes, or (right and left lanes). Do not attempt to pass or drive beside an over width load if you are approaching a bridge or overpass.

Railroad Crossings

There are two kinds of railway crossing we need to be aware of. They are controlled and uncontrolled, so let’s start with that. There may be lights, barricades, and / or warning bells. Any one of these automatic control devices makes it a controlled crossing. You don’t have to have all three devices present. Uncontrolled crossings simply have signs indicating there are train tracks but there should also be a flag person walking in front, and to the side, of the train to ensure traffic stops before crossing into the oncoming train. Please be very cautious and watch for a flag person. Watch for road signs to determine what kind of crossing it is.

We have two types of loads which are dangerous goods and non-dangerous goods. For non-dangerous goods loads, you don’t need to stop at controlled crossings unless the automatic control devices are activated. At uncontrolled crossings, put on your 4-way flashers approx. 50 feet or 15.24 meters before the first rail so those behind you know that you need to stop. Pull both brake buttons and put your truck in neutral when you are 10 feet or 3 meters from the closest rail. Open both windows and listen. Look both left and right to ensure no train is approaching. When it is safe to proceed, put your truck in drive and release your brakes. Once your trailer completely clears the last rail, turn off your 4-ways and put your windows up. I would slow down for all railway crossings because you never know how bad the road is.

When you are carrying dangerous goods, you must come to a complete stop at all railway crossings. Put on your 4-way flashers 50 feet or 15.24 meters before the first rail so those behind you know that you need to stop. Pull both brake buttons and put your truck in neutral when you are 10 feet or 3 meters from the closest rail. Open both windows and listen. Look both left and right to ensure no train is approaching. When it is safe to proceed, put your truck in drive and release your brakes. Once your trailer completely clears the last rail, turn off your 4-ways off and put your windows up.

Round-A-Bouts

It seems these new-fangled gadgets are quickly becoming the way to our future. They are new and not in all places so most people can’t negotiate them properly. We need to be very cautious and attentive while we use them. We yield the right of way to those already in the round-a-bout and when it is safe to do so, we will enter the traffic circle in a counterclockwise direction or to the right.

Just before we arrive at the exit we need, we will put on our right turn signal to let others know we will be exiting. We can then continue on our way so this should be very easy. In a truck, because the curves are so tight in most of them, we can’t have cars beside us. Depending on the size of the traffic circle, we may have to use our 4 ways flashers and straddle the lanes to prevent cars from coming up beside us. Do whatever is necessary to ensure you are always safe and those around you are also safe while using round-a-bouts.

School Buses

One would think that drivers would behave and act properly around school buses. Unfortunately, this is not the case and every day there are accidents involving school buses. The drivers of these vehicles are fellow commercial drivers just like you and me. They are our brothers and sisters, and we need to remember that. Buses are equipped with stop signs and large flashing red lights to make people aware they are stopping to allow children to enter and exit the vehicle. You are required to stop regardless of your direction of travel except on a divided highway. Be aware of children crossing the road and put your 4 ways on as you slow down and come to a complete stop. Never pass a bus with their stop sign out and lights flashing.

Blocking Traffic or Streets

When traveling through cities and towns, you need to be aware of your surroundings. You are now just a couple of inches short of 75 feet or 22.86 meters long. When stopping for red lights, ensure your trailer is not blocking side roads. If emergency services need to turn onto that street, you will prevent them from being able to so. Before entering an intersection, ensure there is enough room on the other side for you to completely clear the intersection without blocking cross traffic if the light changes. Sometimes it’s extremely difficult to avoid blocking driveways to houses or businesses but let’s try to be considerate of others while we’re out there.

Blocking Traffic On Purpose

How many times have you cussed out a driver who runs all the way up a lane that is ending then tries to force their way over. If you pay attention to road signs and construction signs, you will have plenty of notice that the lane is ending, and you need to merge. You do not have the right of way and if you run all the way to the end of the lane before merging, you may have difficulty getting let in. When drivers act like this, it simply makes everyone behind them wait longer. If you move over when you know you must, it will keep traffic moving and we wouldn’t have such long waits to get moving again.

I’m sure you have either experienced this firsthand or have seen it done on our highways and city streets. Many professional drivers will get frustrated at cars and either do it themselves or will start straddling lanes to block people from doing this. It is actually illegal to do this, but it isn’t illegal to drive directly beside another truck to block that lane. If 2 trucks are traveling side by side until the end of the lane, the driver in the through lane should slow a little to allow the blocker from the ending lane, in front of them. It keeps traffic moving, preventing miles long backups and it gets everyone moving quicker. Make sure you are watching your mirrors on the side of the truck to see when lanes are opening and closing. Be aware of those who try to race up to the very end of the lane then cut over suddenly.

City Horns VS Air Horns

Your city horns are the small buttons on the sides of your steering wheel and should be used for almost every occasion. Air horns should only be used in emergency situations. As an example: The light in the intersection just changed to yellow and you know you can’t stop safely before it changes again to red. Use your air horn so other motorists know there is an emergency and pay attention to you.

Engine Brake Use

Engine brakes are illegal inside most cities and towns. You can be fined for using your engine brake which is also called a “Jake Brake”. They are to be used in the mountains to save your brakes from fading as you travel down the mountains so you can better control your speed. Most engine brakes have a low, medium, and high so you can control your speed better. Not all trucks have these brakes that work by dropping the engine RPMs. They are extremely loud so don’t use your engine brake in residential areas or inside cities or towns.

Dog Tracking Trailers

We have some fancy technology on our trucks and trailers, but this is not one of them. It isn’t even something that is attached to our trailer. Dog tracking means that your trailer is traveling off to one side instead of in a straight-line path behind your tractor. It also means that your trailer has been damaged and needs to be fixed. This can happen because of someone hitting a curb or barricade and bending the axle. Report this on your inspection as 11 A on your schedule 1 as this is best recorded as frame damage.

Smoking Your Brakes

It’s not a matter of IF you smoke your brakes but WHEN you smoke your brakes. The day will come when you are standing on your brake pedal with both feet, pulling on the steering wheel so you press harder on the brake, and praying to whatever entity you turn to in times of trouble asking them to stop your truck. We all know there are drivers out there on the roads that are just not paying attention or are 10 minutes late going nowhere. Eventually one will jump in front of you without warning as well.

As you press on your brake pedal, the brake components press together and create friction to slow, then stop your vehicle. Friction creates heat and the harder you press the brake pedal, the more heat that’s created. If you need to hold that pedal down for many seconds to stop your loaded truck, you absolutely can set your trailer brakes on fire. You will see smoke coming from the back of your trailer. Once you can safely make it to a place you can stop your truck and get out, grab your fire extinguisher, and walk to the rear of the trailer. If your brakes are on fire, use your fire extinguisher if it’s safe to do so then call fleet services. Be sure to have the extinguisher charged again as soon as possible and report the whole incident to safety.

30 Minute Meal Breaks

You are required by law to take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of your shift if you cross the border. Even though this is not a requirement for Canadian only drivers, take a rest and make sure you eat something during your break. You need energy and nutrition to stay healthy. Your 30-minute break can’t be taken in the fuel isle blocking other drivers from being able to fuel their trucks. Also ensure you are not blocking weight scales, repair doors, or anything else that interferes with the normal operations of businesses. Practice backing up until you are good and always park in a proper parking spot.

Washrooms & Garbage

I am very sorry I must even bring this up, but it is out of absolute necessity. Don’t ever allow the company or dispatchers to take away your dignity. When you must use the washroom facilities, stop your truck and use the toilet. It’s disgusting that some pigs urinate on the ground or in bottles then throw them out the window or dump them in truck stop parking lots forcing others to walk through it and put up with the stench when it’s 100 degrees out. Don’t be like these pigs and don’t wear your outside shoes / boots inside your truck or your inside shoes outside the truck. You don’t want to track it through your truck.

Likewise with garbage, don’t throw it out the window of your truck. Carry extra garbage bags and dispose of it in a garbage dumpster. Don’t place your garbage bags in overflowing garbage cans or be the reason it overflows to begin with. Be a professional, act better, shine brighter. Don’t be like the pigs that are acting this way. They belong on farms, not in trucks.

5th Wheel & Mid-Trips

Some people have a very different sense of humour than the rest of us. Whenever you turn your back on your truck, you need to ensure that no-one has tampered with it. This means when you go into a truck stop, into a shipper or receiver, rest area, sleeper berth, or even just 2 trucks down to talk to another driver. It doesn’t matter where or why your truck is out of your site, you will check it before you get back into the cab. Open the door to get your rubber mallet that you keep beside your seat to take with you and turn on your headlights and left turn signal.

You will start at the driver’s door and walk all the way around your truck. Check all your lights, tires, 5th wheel handle, placard holders if you have dangerous goods, your trailer doors, trailer seal if you have one, and the refer controls, temperature, and trailer fuel level. Once you have completed the left side of your truck, switch your signal to the right indicator for the passenger side of your truck and inspect everything on the opposite side. When you get back into your truck, record this as your mid-trip inspection in your electronic log device.

Double Turning Lanes

Some intersections and many offramps for major highways and interstates have what’s called double turning lanes. This simply means that more than 1 lane can be used for turning left or right. You need to pay attention to overhead lane markings and roadside signs to know which lane you need to be in to safely make your turn. If there are 2 lanes that can be used to turn right, you should be in the lane furthest from the right curb or the left, right turn lane.

If there are 2 lanes turning to the left, you need to be the one furthest from the left curb or the right, left turn lane. Always choose the one that gives you the most amount of room to complete your turn and use all the room that is allocated to your turning lane. We must always be vigilant when making turns and even more so when we have traffic beside us turning in the same direction that we are. Remember to go all the way straight out before beginning your turn.

TransCanada Highway 17

Highway 17 is a very desolate and winding stretch of highway that can also be very dangerous. Not only do you need to worry about road conditions, but you also need to worry about places to stop and the length of time it will take to get emergency assistance should you need it. Always use Highway 11 between Barrie and Nipigon when traveling to or from western Canada instead of the TransCanada Highway 17.

Red Light Turns

In most places you are permitted to turn right at a red light. This does not mean that you are required to so feel free to wait for a green light before starting your turn. The exception to this is Quebec. Right turns on red lights are not permitted in the province of Quebec so if you go east for a run, be aware of this and avoid a ticket.

Merge Lanes

*** coming soon ***

Steer Tire Blowout

*** coming soon ***

Load Securement

*** coming soon ***