Education of New Drivers

My daughter is currently preparing for her beginners licence. She is taking a drivers education class at school and studying a drivers handbook. I asked her just a few days ago if there was any coverage at all regarding commercial transport (big trucks) to which she replied, "I think there is only one question in the handbook and nothing mentioned in the class".

Folks, we have a problem, and I hope you agree that we've always had one. I would find it interesting to know if any such education is provided in any state or province to our regular class drivers.

With the decrease in railroad shipments throughout North America and population increase in overdrive there are higher demands on goods everywhere, thus increasing the volume road transport.

There are so many factors playing against new, (and experienced) drivers, when it comes to commercial equipment vs. regular vehicles on our roads today.

Most people have the common sense to know it takes quite a streach for a train to stop, so to play chicken with a train is a stupid move. That's why we have train crossing rules and some education and training involving busses, and crossings, etc. Most everyone should be aware those laws are not there for the train conductors safetly moreover our own.

So if there is a far greater probibility of interacting with multible commercial vehicles in day to day life apposed to the number of trains, why is there no information supplied to our regular drivers?

I'm willing to bet only a tiny fraction of the general population of regular drivers with no commercial operating experience know the factors involved.

Some of the things to consider are; weight, speed, articulation, momentum, grade of the hills, sleep deprevation of a driver, including the regular driver, (not just the truck driver). Roll back, lighting on any given unit, surface of the road, weather, rest, passing, mood, and the list goes on. These are just some of the important factors.

There are so many things that happen to a commercial driver every day. Here is a list of dangerous interactions that I have experienced on a regular run, and the entire list too. I have it worded as advice opposed to stories.

• Cutting off a tractor trailer is stupid, the driver may not stop the unit in time.
• High beems still blind a truck driver too, just because they sit higher makes no difference.
• Tractor trailers have a big blind spot, when passing, it's a good idea to stay in the driver's line of sight for a few seconds. As you pull out to pass, stay near the tail of the trailer, flash your lights a couple time and take over the unit cautiously.
• When a big truck is stopped at an intersection, depending on the of weight, and other factors, there is a chance of rollback, as the driver proceeds to move forward, the unit may roll back a few inches, or even feet, especially if on an incline. Don't get so close while behind the truck.
• Tailgating is stupid anywhere with any size vehicle.
• A driver has to battle extreme and ever changing lighting conditions due to weather and opposing traffic. When dawn or dusk approaches, take special caution when passing or approaching the unit. With any size vehicle, if a driver is heading into the sun, you may illiminated from sight. And again, watch those high beams.
• Don't ever cut behind a truck when it's backing up. And if you ever help guide a driver backing up, remember, if you can't see the driver in their mirror, the driver can't see you.
• If a driver is forced off the road or the loads integrity is comprimised, the contents could be explosive, corrosive, biological hazard, etc.

Please keep this in mind

You may have only been driving an hour or two after a good meal. The driver of a big truck may have stopped and ate, used the washroom etc, 4 hours ago as the law demands, but may have been "driving" for a far greater amount of time, dealing with a list of very stressful issues, some being traffic issues and others being, money, being away from family, trip and dispatch problems, mechanical failure, weather challenges, sleep/rest deprivation, health, and the list could go on.

These commercial drivers deal with these issues EVERY time they pull on to a road until they are off or sleeping. Remember, this is a short list, the list of things dealt with may far exceed this information.

Please give some respect, you may not always get it back from every driver out there, but respect for the driver, the truck, the contents of the load and all the factors involved may save your life and the lives of others.

Now go force any new drivers you know, to read this.