Truck driving definitely has its perks — the opportunity to travel, meet people from all over the country, and enjoy a sense of independence many workers in other industries don’t have. But when it comes to driving, there are a few highways that truckers love, and a few they avoid.

1. Tornado Alley

From mid-spring to early summer, driving through the US midwest can be harrowing. Hail, extreme wind, tornadoes, rain, and flooding can severely impact the driving experience through Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and the fringes of bordering states. Truckers avoid driving through these states when possible during tornado season.

2. I-64 in West Virginia

The beautiful scenery of West Virginia along I-64 is a draw for all truckers. The rolling green hills, beautiful sunsets, and picturesque landscape make this highway a pleasure to drive through. Not to mention the fact that it’s rarely overcrowded or congested.

3. Westbound From Montana To Idaho

The jaw-dropping snow-capped mountains, beautiful forests, and vast grasslands and marshes are a stunning sight to behold for truckers driving westbound from Montana to Idaho. During the fall season, the aspens turn vibrant gold and yellow and create an absolutely gorgeous landscape.

4. California Route 138

The wiggling sharp turns and grades of California Route 138 are a hard “no” for all experienced truckers. The route is often referred to as “Blood Alley”, for its high death toll and truckers would be wise to take an alternate route.

5. Dalton Highway in Alaska

The show “Ice Road Truckers” was inspired by the treacherous 240-mile road in Alaska that offers no services and extreme weather conditions. In fact, the lowest recorded temperature in the US was recorded near this highway. Though some truckers drive on this road for a living, it doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid.

6. I-285 in Atlanta

The I-285 in Atlanta sees nearly four fatal crashes per its 10 miles length. This high rate combined with congestion makes it a highway to avoid for many truckers.

7. Seward Highway in Alaska

This highway offers spectacular mountain and ocean views, along with easy driving and a sense of relaxation. Truckers enjoy this drive year round.

Source: http://www.americatruckdriving.com

Gravity plays a major role in mountain driving. On any upgrade, gravity slows you down. The steeper the grade, the longer the grade, and/or the heavier the load, the more you will have to use lower gears to climb hills or mountains.

In coming down long, steep downgrades, gravity causes the speed of your vehicle to increase. You must select an appropriate safe speed, then use a low gear, and use proper braking techniques. Plan ahead and obtain information about any long steep grades along your planned route of travel. If possible, talk to other drivers who are familiar with the grades to find out what speeds are safe.You must go slow enough so your brakes can hold you back without getting too hot. If the brakes become too hot,
they may start to “fade.” This means you have to apply them harder and harder to get the same stopping power. If you continue to use the brakes hard, they can keep fading until you cannot slow down or stop at all.

Speed — Your most important consideration is to select a speed that is not too fast for the:• total weight of the vehicle and cargo;• length of the grade;• steepness of the grade;• road conditions; and/or

• weather.

If a speed limit is posted or there is a sign indicating “Maximum Safe Speed,” never exceed the speed shown. Also, look for and heed warning signs indicating the length and steepness of the grade. You must use the braking effect of the engine as the principal way of controlling your speed. The braking effect of the engine is greatest when it is near the governed RPMs and the transmission is in the lower gears. Save your brakes
so you will be able to slow or stop as required by road traffic conditions.

Be in right gear before starting down grade — Shift the transmission to a low gear before starting down the grade. Do not try to downshift after your speed has already built up. You will not be able to shift into a lower gear. You may not even be able to get back into any gear and all engine braking effect will be lost. Forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear at high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to loss of all engine braking effect.A good rule for older trucks is to use the same gear going down a hill that you would need to climb the hill. However, newer trucks have low-friction parts and streamlined shapes for fuel economy. They also may have more powerful engines. This means they can go up hills in higher gears and have less friction and air drag to hold them back going

down hills. For that reason, drivers of modern trucks may have to use lower gears going down a hill than would be required to go up the hill. Know what is right for your vehicle.

Brake fading or failure — Brakes are designed so brake shoes or pads rub against the brake drum or disks to slow the vehicle. Braking creates heat. But brakes are designed to take a lot of heat. However, brakes can fade or fail from excessive heat caused by using them too much and not relying on the engine braking effect.
Brake fade also is affected by adjustment. To safely control a vehicle, each brake must do its share of the work.

Brakes out of adjustment will stop doing their shares before those that are in adjustment. The other brakes can then overheat and fade, and there will not be enough braking available to control the vehicle. Brakes can get out of adjustment quickly, especially when they are used a lot; brake linings also wear faster when they are hot. Therefore, brake adjustment must be checked frequently.

Proper braking technique — The use of brakes on a long and/or steep downgrade is only a supplement to the braking effect of the engine. Once the vehicle is in the proper low gear, the following is a proper braking technique:

Apply the brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.

When your speed has been reduced to approximately 5 mph below your “safe” speed, release the brakes. (This brake application should last for about 3 seconds.)

When your speed has increased to your “safe” speed, repeat steps 1 and 2.
Example: If your “safe” speed is 40 mph, you would not apply the brakes until your speed reaches 40 mph. You now apply the brakes hard enough to gradually reduce your speed to 35 mph and then release the brakes. Repeat this as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade.

Escape ramps — Escape ramps have been built on many steep mountain downgrades. Escape ramps are made to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose soft material to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade.
Know escape ramp locations on your route. Signs show drivers where ramps are located. Escape ramps save lives, equipment and cargo. Use them if you lose your brakes.

Truck drivers, imagine this scenario: It’s a beautiful sunny day and you are traveling along with traffic at 60 mph, when the vehicle in front of you suddenly slams on its brakes. You won’t have time to read this important info then, so use this quick guide on the stopping distance for semi-trucks to prepare well.

At 60 mph, on a clear day, a fully loaded tractor-trailer will need approximately 370 feet to stop, which is more than a football field.

The heavier the vehicle and the faster it is moving, the longer it takes to safely stop, so a loaded truck will take longer to stop than an empty truck — which brings us to the next question:

The proper following distance is seven to eight seconds. Strive to maintain that and be ready to add to it, up to double that amount when the weather is deteriorating.

Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a fixed object such as a tree, light pole or a sign on the side of the road.

When the vehicle in front of you passes the fixed object, start counting the seconds until you have reached the same object. That will tell you how many seconds of following distance there is between you and the vehicle in front of you.

If you ensure you have enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you, there will be ample time to slow down or change lanes to avoid a crash.

Another part of space management is to stop 20 feet behind other stopped vehicles at traffic lights, stop signs and railroad crossings. This practice will allow you to have enough room to get around the vehicle in front of you in case that vehicle becomes disabled.

• In order to make your presence known to other vehicles, use your headlights half an hour before dusk and leave them on until half an hour after sunrise.
• Use your turn signals 100 feet in advance of a turn, and leave the signal on until the turn is completed and you are straight in the lane you are turning into.

Take a moment to commit to yourself, your family and the motoring public that you will do everything possible to give yourself enough following distance to stop your semi-truck if something happens in front of you.

Source: https://schneiderjobs.com/blog/stopping-distance-semi-trucks

Starting a new career as a truck driver can be both exciting and challenging, as drivers learn to navigate the ins and outs of the job. Though it’s obvious that truckers will be driving for eight to 10 hours a day, here are a few things new drivers should expect during their first year in the industry.

A New Lifestyle

New truckers will need to learn how to tailor their lifestyle around their new job. Being out on the road for weeks at a time will mean spending less time with family and friends. This may be one of the hardest aspects of the job to get used to, but truckers who mentally prepare themselves for this will find a way to keep in touch with loved ones while they’re away.

Less Favorable Loads

As with any other occupation, junior truckers have to work for a few years before they can choose which loads they want to take. First year drivers may need to drive to desolate locations or very busy cities (like New York City), and make pickups and deliveries late at night or very early in the morning.

This is typical of all trucking companies, as managers are testing a driver’s skills and reliability. First year drivers must show that they’re able to deliver a load on time, know how to clearly communicate with dispatchers, and can properly maintain their truck. 

The Wonders and Sights of America

Of course, the highlights of delivering loads all across the country include seeing how different and unique the American landscape truly is — from the countryside, to big cities, and suburbs. While their trailer is being unloaded or reloaded, truckers can take a rideshare to visit landmarks, explore beautiful nature spots, and even dine at the best restaurants. 

The Financial Perks

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers can expect to earn a median income of $37,770. The industry is growing, and there is high demand for new drivers. The current driver shortage is driving wages up and is creating a healthy competition among trucking companies for well-trained truckers.

Source: http://www.americatruckdriving.com

As the days end quicker during fall season and darkness fills up the sky, you find yourself heading back to your delivery when it’s usually dark. But if your work shift ends in the wee hours of the morning/late night when its completely dark and every store or building has got its lights off, then its gets harder to navigate through the dark empty roads, especially when you drive a semi truck!

If you follow these 5 important tips, you won’t end up becoming a nightly statistic:

Using headlights is important if you are driving at night. This is not only important for you to see the road but also for others to be alerted of your car’s presence on the road. Your headlamps should be switched on at least an hour before the sun sets. This should also include times when the weather is bad or too cloudy.

Don’t use high beams because they are counterproductive while driving. You might think that you are helping yourself or everyone around you by giving off more light, but it is actually the opposite because you are blinding the other drivers with too much light.

Driving too closely to other vehicle is always something to avoid, but this should be done especially at night when it is pitch dark.  It’s understandable that you want to drive close to a vehicle that you can navigate the road with but tailgating has never been the right option any time while driving. You will only look like a creepy driver who is on the hunt for a new prey at night. It is not only rude but also dangerous to do so; therefore, maintain at least 4-6 feet distance between you and the other car in front.

Driving at night makes you less aware of your surroundings, so you must check the mirrors frequently for any animal, person or car on the side of the road. Ensure that your mirrors are positioned in such a way that other people’s car headlights won’t cause a glare towards you and obstruct you from seeing anything.

Before hitting the road, it is important you are alert and awake. Drowsy driving has caused thousands of accidents and it’s the second reason after drunk driving that causes fatalities. Have some coffee or splash some water on your face before you drive, so that you don’t end up dozing off. Put on some music to make you stay alert for a longer period.

People are more likely to lose their way at night as opposed to daytime. So, if you don’t want to waste hours by searching for the road that will lead you back to your track then just use a GPS. It’s nothing embarrassing to take the help of it even if you know the city by heart, because one wrong turn can take you down the rabbit hole.

Source: https://www.comedytrafficschool.com

For some reason, there’s just something about being on the road that makes you want to snack. And we’re not talking about stopping for lunch at a restaurant or grabbing a sandwich and coffee at a gas station. We mean full on SNACKS: Chips, soda, ice cream bars, licorice – the list goes on and on.

Of course, when you go on road-trips once or twice a year, you can get away with this kind of junk food binge. But when road-trips are, in fact, your Monday-thru-Friday, nine-to-five gig, your health and well-being just can’t handle the same type of eating habits. In other words, if you plan to embrace the trucking lifestyle, your snacking has to change.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of healthy, tasty treats out there. Read on to learn about how you can satisfy your snack cravings without deteriorating your health.

Fresh Fruit
Apples, bananas, assorted berries, and whatever else suits your fancy. Fruit is nature’s candy, and the truth is, the more you eat it, the more you realize how much better it actually tastes over prepackaged junk food. Of course, fruit is also full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which will help you feel like your best self while on the road.

Jerky
Low calorie and carb intake, high protein and big flavor: jerky offers truck drivers an excellent snack that’s quick, easy, and filling. Jerky also comes in a variety of meats: beef, turkey, venison, and buffalo are just a few to name. It’s important to note that jerky is typically high in sodium, so if you love this snack, make sure you hydrate accordingly.

Cheese Sticks
Not only do they come in a variety of flavors, but cheese sticks are also easy to eat, packed with protein, and can keep you well-satiated while on the road. They can be high in saturated fats, so look for the low-fat options and make cheese a small part of your overall snacking each day.

Baby Carrots and Sliced Bell Peppers
Sure, these might not be the best-tasting items on the list, but they’re not bad either, and they’re great sources of fiber and various vitamins and minerals. They generally come prewashed, peeled, and ready to eat, and they’re an easy way to make sure you’re getting vegetables into your diet each day.

Nuts
Nuts have lately been labeled superfoods – and for good reasons. High in healthy fats, vitamins, and fiber, they’ve been proven to aid in overall health. Cashews and almonds rate highest in health benefits, and though they’re better for you in their raw form, roasted nuts are still nutritious. Be sure to look for the lightly salted options.

If you’re a truck driver, snacking is inevitable. It’s possible, however, to avoid the all-too-normal pitfalls of junk food binging while on the road. Try out the foods above and let us know what you think!

Source: http://www.americatruckdriving.com

Night time driving adds additional challenges to those you face driving during the day. Learning how to safely drive at night reduces your chances of being in an accident and keeps you and other drivers safe. Follow these driving at night tips listed below:

• Slow down: Driving at night limits your visibility and therefore your reaction time. Slowing down and leaving at least a three second gap between you and the car in front of you reduces the chance of a collision. Additionally, avoid tailgating other motorists.
• Use your headlights: Turn your lights on when it begins to get dark. You’ll want to ensure your headlights are pointed correctly. If your lights are pointed too low or are uneven, you may not see obstacles or other motorists. 
• Dim dash lights: Light from your instrument panel or dash can be distracting and limit your visibility. Dimming them will help your eyes better adjust to darkness. Avoid using your dome light as well.
• Wear the right glasses: Certain glasses can impair your night time visibility. Search for glasses that have an anti-reflective coating. This will stop additional light from entering and reflecting on your glasses, which can impair your visibility.
• Avoid staring at oncoming lights: It’s easy to get distracted by other motorists’ lights or street lights. Avoid looking into oncoming lights as they can leave you momentarily blind. Consider tilting your rearview mirror down or investing in night glare glasses to avoid being blinded by outside light.
• Keep your eyes moving: Constantly moving your eyes helps keep you alert. Scan behind you and to the side to check for other motorists or pedestrians. Be looking for animals as well. You can often catch animals’ retina catching the light of your headlights a few feet away. This gives you more time to react or stop should they bolt in front of your vehicle.
• Turn on your brights: Use your brights to illuminate especially dark roads. However, turn your brights off when you see an oncoming car or are driving behind another car. Your brights can impair other motorists’ vision and increase your chance of an accident.
• Maintain your vehicle: Keep your windows, windshield wipers, and lights clean and working correctly. This ensures you have complete visibility in the dark or bad weather.
• Keep distractions to a minimum: Put your phone away, keep music low, and avoid being distracted by passengers. Eliminating these distractions keeps you alert and safe. 

Source: http://www.cdl.com

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week will proceed as scheduled, Aug. 23-29. Enforcement officials will inspect commercial motor vehicles throughout the week and vehicles found to have critical out-of-service brake violations, or other critical vehicle out-of-service inspection item violations, will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected. Vehicles that pass eligible inspections may receive a passed-inspection CVSA decal.

Checking brake system components is always part of the roadside inspection process; however, inspectors will be paying special attention to brake hoses/tubing during this year’s Brake Safety Week to highlight the importance of those components to vehicle mechanical fitness and safety.

The brake systems on commercial motor vehicles are comprised of components that work together to slow and stop the vehicle, and brake hoses/tubing are essential for the proper operation of those systems. Brake hoses/tubing must be properly attached, undamaged, without leaks and appropriately flexible. Brake hoses/tubing are an important part of the braking system so when they do fail, they can cause problems for the entire braking system.

During last year’s International Roadcheck inspection and enforcement initiative, brake system and brake adjustment violations accounted for 45.1% of all out-of-service conditions. That’s more than any other vehicle violation category. And during last year’s Brake Safety Week, 13.5% of the commercial motor vehicles inspected had brake-related vehicle inspection item violations and were placed out of service.

Brake Safety Week is part of law enforcement’s effort to reduce brake-related crashes by conducting roadside inspections and identifying and removing unsafe commercial motor vehicles from roadways.

“Despite the pandemic, commercial motor vehicle safety inspectors continue to prioritize vehicle and driver safety by conducting inspections every day,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “Safety is always our top priority and it’s our mission to ensure the vehicles on our roadways have met all safety standards and regulations. This is especially important as we rally behind truck drivers as they transport essential goods during this public health crisis. We need to do everything we can to ensure that the vehicles truck drivers are driving are as safe as possible.”

In addition to CVSA’s Brake Safety Week, August is also Brake Safety Awareness Month. Along with inspections and enforcement, law enforcement agencies also engage in outreach and awareness efforts to educate drivers, motor carriers, mechanics, owner-operators and others on the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation and performance.

“Brakes are one of the most important systems in a vehicle,” added Sgt. Samis. “Failure of any component of a brake system could be catastrophic. Routine brake system inspections and component replacement are vital to the safety of commercial motor vehicles.”

Brake Safety Week is part of CVSA’s Operation Airbrake program, in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.

Source: http://www.cvsa.org

New truck drivers don’t expect their job to require sophisticated organizational skills, but for those that put in some effort to stay organized, the benefits are tangible. No matter how organized or disorganized you may be, the following hacks are simple and quite effective.

Clickable lights

When you’re getting back to your truck at night, you may need to fumble around a bit before you can turn on the lights and see where everything is. But if you have clickable, adhesive lights, you can turn them on with a simple tap. Place them inside cabinets or above the bed for convenient lighting.

Hooks/Velcro

Instead of throwing everything in a bag or stuffing clothes into cabinets, utilize wall space by attaching self adhesive hooks. Velcro is useful for attaching containers or bins to a wall in the truck and ensuring the containers don’t move when you’re driving. A file box can also be attached to the back of the driver’s seat, using velcro, for easy access.

Handheld vacuum

Don’t let the interior of your truck accumulate dirt and dust. Keep a handheld vacuum cleaner with you to clean up messes and spills as soon as they occur. It won’t take even a minute to clean, if you take care of it right away.

Storage containers/packing cubes

Before purchasing storage containers, be sure to measure the space in your cabin. You can also use soft packing cubes to store clothing and easily transfer them to duffel bags.

Labeling

If you’ve got storage bins, it can be hard to keep track of what’s where. Purchase a label maker or simply label bins using a sharpie marker. This will help you cut down time spent searching for certain items.

Trash

Remove trash from your truck when filling up the gas tank. Make it a habit.

Also, before going to bed each night, go through your truck picking up trash and checking for any messes. This will train you to automatically clean your truck.

Over-the-door pocket organizer

The organizer that’s typically used to store shoes can also be used to store basic necessities, like paper towels, snacks, toiletries, and sunscreen. Hang one up on a wall in your truck for easy access.

Driver safety should remain a priority for drivers long after they’ve completed truck driving school. Here are a few tips every truck driver should follow to decrease their risk of accident and injury.

Mind the speed limit.

As a driver of a passenger vehicle, you may be used to ignoring speed limits. But if you’re driving a truck, then you need to remember that you’re also towing a trailer behind you. Stopping a truck takes much longer and can be dangerous for other drivers if you’re driving too fast. So follow the speed limit and be considerate of the safety of other drivers. 

Slow down for work zones.

According to the Department of Transportation, “In 2016, 27% of fatal work zone crashes involved at least one large truck compared to only 11% of all fatal crashes.” A work zone presents many hazards to drivers, such as uneven road surfaces, moving workers and equipment, sudden stops and lane shifts. Be on the lookout for work zones and be prepared for lane changes and stop-and-go traffic.

Stay on top of maintenance.

Just because your truck starts without any hiccups, doesn’t mean all is well. Follow pre-trip safety inspections to the tee and make sure tires and brakes are in good condition before you hit the road. A split second could be the difference between an injury and a fatal accident.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

If you’ve been on the road for a while, it could be tempting to spend hours watching TV. In 2017, drowsy driving claimed 795 lives. So limit the time you spend watching TV and make sure you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.

Get rid of distractions.

Input directions into your GPS before you turn the key, set your cell phone to silent while you’re driving and avoid flipping through radio channels. The call can wait. Your safety is worth it.

Source: http://www.americatruckdriving.com