It's a Team's Life

Driving Hazards

Driving Hazards

How many times have you been driving along, minding your own business, when you come across a stream of red lights, debris on the road or a four wheeler brake checking you? How do you handle these situations? Do you sit back and take it as it comes or do you get a little pang of road rage in your soul? There have been times when I react calmly while in other cases I just want to get even. Being a professional truck driver stops me from doing something stupid. Having said that, the thought still enters my mind that I want to get even.

I get very frustrated when driving in construction zones and other vehicles will not let me switch lanes. These little cars think they can squeeze in ahead of me like getting in front of me will get them to their destination more quickly. Maybe. Or maybe they may not make it to their destination at all.

Debris on the road leads to damaged equipment and lost revenue. In one day I got a chip on the windshield, and saw two different areas where there was debris on the road. In one case, a semi tire covered an entire lane. In the other case, someone had lost either luggage or boxes of clothes that were scattered over several lanes. While I realize that it can be challenging to pick up debris on the road I would make every effort to do so.

Break checks are also a common occurrence while driving. Sometimes the car just wants to speed past us and then realizes that they are speeding so they need to slow down. In other cases, they pass us just to realize that they needed to exit right in front of us. Finally, there is the person who just thinks it is funny to put the breaks on right in front of us. In all situations, their actions can be very dangerous to them and others around them. And not to just pick on auto drivers, I have seen semi drivers do the same thing. 

With a new administration comes new opportunities to educate ALL drivers on how to drive when near semi trucks. I find it interesting that truck drivers are required to go through random drug and alcohol testing while anyone can get behind the wheel of a car without ever being randomly tested. Truck drivers are required to take written tests every so many years (depending on their specific state laws) to carry certain endorsements while those driving cars are not required to have any testing after they receive their driver’s license. If our government wants to be fair when it comes to vehicles on the road, then those in government should not focus only on the truck driver but, rather, on ALL drivers. Just my two cents worth here.

Here’s wishing you millions of SAFE and profitable miles.

Kelly Plumb