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Originally Posted by Part Time Dweller
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Are we to have the ability to read other drivers minds? ( I'm talking about someone pulling out in front of you with NO room to stop.)
Not mind reading, but reading the road. One of the major parts of defensive driving is paying attention to other traffic. If you see a vehicle approaching a stop you have to assume they aren't going to stop. Make eye contact, if they don't look your way expect them to pull out and make the necessary adjustments. That is what a professional does anyways, a steering wheel holder plays with the radio and cell phone with total disregard to others, then when involved in an accident, can't understand how it was preventable and accepts no personal responsibility for their inattention.
Ask one of many drivers that have a million plus accident free miles, it isn't just luck. And NO, I am not one of them, but have learned from my mistakes. One reason they do these accident reviews whether an accident is preventable or not is to teach drivers what they could have done to prevent it and learn from it.
I know this post is old, and I don't always agree with PTD.... but this time I DO! A MAJOR part of the professional driver's job IS to "anticipate" the stupidity of other drivers!
We must ALWAYS be "on guard" for the actions of the stupid and irresponsible! There is NO time, while driving a truck, that it is safe to talk on the phone, diddle with your GPS, or read some papers!!
Being "at fault" in an accident makes NO difference! It is "preventable" because YOU should be doing your job! And your JOB requires that you understand the implications of letting your 80k lb missile hit another vehicle or pedestrian!
There IS a "double standard" and WE are held to it! That's why we are considered "professional drivers!" We MAY not be able to "prevent" EVERY accident..... but those we don't, MAY be fatal for someone else OR OURSELVES!
Personally, I am very GOOD at "reading the minds" of other drivers! And I make it my FIRST PRIORITY to do so all day, every day!! I ALWAYS know if I have an "out" and where it is, and I ALWAYS expect the 4wheelers (and most truckers) to do the most stupid thing they can do!
To the original poster..... there is a thread here somewhere with a link to USIS/DAC. You need to call them and find out how to have YOUR "rebuttal" added to the file so any future company will see YOUR side of the story. But, it better be GOOD, FACTUAL, and PERSUASIVE! Whining won't count!
Driving SAFELY is an ART, or at least a SKILL!! One should be practicing this art/skill EVERY mile that they cover! There is NO time to slack off! You are being paid to DRIVE A TRUCK!! The responsibilities and requirements of this job are STRINGENT to say the least! If you are not SMARTER than the average 4wheeler, nor more SKILLED than a "steeringwheelholder," you need to get OUT OF THIS BUSINESS!
I have a "rule." If you EVER say, "wow! where did HE come from?" more than ONCE a day.... you are NOT paying attention, you are NOT doing your job, and you are DANGEROUS!
I feel for those who have been "unjustly" screwed by company or LEO's, but I have NO pity for those who don't understand the GRAVITY of the situation, and the RESPONSIBILITY of the job! DO IT RIGHT.... or don't EVEN think you can DO it!!
I have no idea what kind of driver the O.P. is..... and I am not passing judgement! I am stating my opinions for ALL who desire to be a trucker! And NO, I don't have a million accident free miles YET.... but I INTEND to! It will be a bit harder for ME, because I don't get in the granny lane and follow the slower trucks! I am "proactive." I drive fast.... but I drive SMART! I am thinking WAY ahead of every mile I drive! I KNOW the capabilities/restrictions of my TRUCK, and I "know" what everyone else is going to do! And I leave ROOM for the possibility that I could be WRONG!
For those of you who don't HAVE this ability to think ahead, or to "read the minds" of others in traffic, I suggest you get in the granny lane AND spend ALL your time checking mirrors and the road in front of you! Maybe, if you're lucky, you will survive the trip! But, really.... I think you should find another career!
Driving a TRUCK is not something that just "anybody" can, or SHOULD, do! My last two "co-drivers" are clear examples of that! I'm sure there is no SHAME in coming to that realization. But, you MUST be honest with yourself and others when making that self-appraisal! LIVES can depend on it!! Maybe, even YOURS!
Nearly EVERY accident is "preventable" if you are driving a truck!! And hitting ANYTHING that is stationary, while trying to back in, or park, etc., is INEXCUSABLE! It MIGHT be "understandable" when you are six months NEW..... but it will COST you bigtime!
There is LITTLE, if ANY, room for mistakes in this business! And THAT is not just MY opinon.... that is a FACT!