As a professional truck driver of thirty-one years, I've seen many changes in people's driving habits, no matter how many tires you have under you. I read in USA Today not long ago there are an estimated 180 million drivers in this country, so there are that many opinions on the best way to drive. Everyone is an individual; so coming up with a proper system of safe driving is unobtainable in my opinion. But there are some time- tested rules that everyone can follow to ensure their safety, as well as others around them.

Think of the last six words in that paragraph. Courtesy-it's a dead issue for some and a daily prayer for others. Without it life can a drag, and people who are rude out of their vehicles won't suddenly change when they get behind the wheel. So, expect that and don't let them ruin your day be engaging in road rage with them. If they cut you off, and you return the favor, you may think you're even. Just remember this; road rage starts out as highway justice until someone pulls out a gun. No amount of safety tips can help the dead.

How many times have we bought new tires all around and 30,000 miles later they look like racing slicks. Did you ever wonder what happed to all that tread? It wears off on the road surface, and that doesn't sound dangerous until you realize tires are forty percent oil, and you're riding on it. During the first few minutes of a rainstorm that moisture mixes with the oil creating a virtual skating rink. Think of the times you've seen an accident during or shortly after this. The best way to avoid this is to slow down and spread out. Smart truckers do this all the time, the rest end up in the ditch.

I remember the first tire blowout in a tractor-trailer I had. It sounded like a shotgun going off and it took the METAL bracket that holds the mud flap on with it, all in less than a second. If you're riding close to our tires when this happens it will damage your fenders, or worse, your windshield and may wreck you. The best way to avoid this is just to pass us, get a safe spread and go on down the road. Experimental metal covers to stop this have been tried, but when the tire blew it blew off the cover. Back to the drawing board.

I wish my vehicle could stop in the same distance that your car can, but it won't. Brake technology for large vehicles has come a long way and the gap is shortened each year, but we're not there yet and we may never be. A fully loaded truck legally weighs 80,000 pounds-your

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