by Stanley Roberts

Created on: December 13, 2007   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

Road safety is something that every driver on any road should be familiar with. I think the biggest problem with safety on the roads of America are legislation and the lack thereof. I know, you are probably thinking you can't have it both ways. Even so, it needs to be both ways.

I am an over the road truck driver and have been for nearly twenty years. I do not call myself a professional because every day on every road something is different. To be a professional one would have to know ahead of time any problems that would arise and how to deal with them. A truck driver or the operator of a small passenger car cannot know all that he or she could face in a days driving.

As I said, legislation and the lack thereof is the biggest problem with safety. What I mean is that it seems the regulations regarding "professional" drivers (a term just meaning it is there primary job) are so messed up that we cannot get into a schedule of any type to assure proper rest. We have a set amount of time that we are able to work then we must rest. It does not take into account if we are tired or sleepy. We have to stop when the clock says. Now, if I or anyone else wants to get into our personal vehicle and drive non-stop from New York City to Las Angelas, California that is acceptable if we can stay awake and avoid an accident. This is only one of many rules we have to follow that the average driver does not. There are many, to many to mention in this article.

Another piece of legislation that hampers the driving profession is the CDL (commercial driver license). Before the enactment of the CDL program drivers actually learned to drive a rig. Now, all one has to do is go to school. Sometimes the potential driver attends months or weeks. Other times he just has to attend days. The school is somewhat responsible in teaching the regulations a driver must abide by, but; does very little in teaching the driving aspect. I have had students come to me that said they were excellent drivers. Top in their class I would hear. They drove about 10 hours on the road pulling a lightly loaded trailer and spent 8 hours learning to back it up. What a joke.

When I was a young boy I looked up to truck drivers. They were the heroes. Then and now everything stops without trucks and drivers. It would still be that way if the government would have stayed out of our industry. Do not get me wrong, I am a law abiding citizen and respect our government but I do not have to agree with everything they do.

Another big aspect of safety on the road is the mixing of cars and big trucks. It used to be that the operator of a passenger vehicle had no idea of the art of handling a big rig. We drivers of the big rigs knew this and we compensated for this lack of knowledge in our own driving habits. Hence, defensive driving was born. In the yester years we learned to operate our rigs in a safe manner. We usually started driving at a young age and took pride in what we did. Now, the majority of licensed professionals do not even know how to operate a passenger vehicle. How can they know the limits of their rig?

Everyone is in a hurry be it a big rig driver or private citizen. Everyone should just take time to smell the roses and if the weather doesn't permit that then sit down and reread your drivers handbook and you are sure to learn something you forgot or never knew.

Accidents do happen and yes, most can be avoided. It is called using your mind and your better judgment. Remember that all those big rigs you see are not indicative of those of us who could be classified as truly professional. 3's and 8's and be SAFE out there.

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