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Originally Posted by Zen Road Warrior
The obvious ones are stay in lane even during turns, good downshifts, backing in 1 or 2 shots, hugging the right line when driving, being quick at fuel stops and holding anyone up, are there other things?
thanks
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Other than your first two, the rest are not really marks of a good driver. It is more showmanship than professionalism, and the hugging the right side WILL get you in trouble, as in you are asking for an accident.
As far as vehicle control goes:
Stay centered in your lane on straight aways.
Stay in your lane during curves and learning how to take a curve.
Speed control.
Maintain proper following distance.
Drive as if you have an unsecured load in/on your trailer.
And for the rest of it:
Respect your limitations. Do not allow yourself to be "bullied" by dispatcher or other drivers into doing things you can not do or are not comfortable doing.
Learn to listen to your truck. It will tell you many things if you really listen to it.
Be courteous to other drivers, regardless if they are in a 4wheeler or big truck. This means: Moving over for vehicles on the side of the road if possible and slowing down if not, not using your brights to single it is Ok for a truck to come back over. Flip your lights off and on instead. Move over to allow a vehicle to enter the roadway if possible and legal to do so. Also when you park be centered in your space and remember to turn off your headlights.
Do not park on the fuel island. It is fine to use the restroom and grab a drink when you are done fueling, but if you need to do more then find a parking space. If that is all you need to do and do not need to fuel, it is OK to park on the fuel island, but pull through and stop in front of the pumps. Also be sure to pull up when you are done fueling, if possible.
Treat everyone like you want to be treated no matter how aggravated you may get. Talk through a problem, don't yell through it.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Learn and use good communication skills.
Keep your dispatcher updated and how things are going. Alert him/her if a problem arises or looks likely to arise as soon as possible.
When moving through a truck stop or rest area parking lot at night turn on all your lights and do so before you start moving. If you only have your parking lights on you may not see someone walking and those walking may not realize you are about to start moving.
When backing use GOAL (Get Out And Look). A true proffesional does not care if he can put the trailer in the hole with 1 attempt or 10 attempts. He cares only that he puts the trailer in the hole properly and without damage to anything.
Never discuss what you have in your trailer or where you are specifically going. It is usually fine to say you have a load going to Chicago or something like that, don't say you have a load of Apple Computers going to Circuit City or anything of that nature.
Keep the inside of your truck clean, neat, organized at all times. Wash the outside of your truck as often as your company will allow you to. Never allow clutter to accumulate on your dash. Clean your windows (outside) and mirrors at least twice a day, more if needed. Inside windows should be cleaned at least twice per week. Clean glass reduces eye strain and fatigue. Also do not forget to keep the lights on your truck and trailer clean.
Keep all your paperwork neat and legible. This includes your logs and trip sheets.
DO your vehicle inspections and get problems fixed. Do not leave them for some one else.
Plan your trips. Trip planning includes, routes, fuel stops, locations for breaks. While you generally want to keep the left door shut and keep moving you also should stop every 2-4 hours and take at least a 15 minute break where you get out of the truck and walk around.
Take the time to properly secure your load. Some loads may not need extra securement, but others will.
Finally a good driver has only one real priority, and that is to do everything the safest way possible each and every time. Everything else is secondary. If something is not safe to do then do not do it.
What makes a good driver...specifically....I want to be one.
