Most truck drivers list of goals do not include have a fender bender with another vehicle or worse. The CDL, or commercial driver’s license is our life line to our livelihood and the last thing we want to do is put our CDL in jeopardy. Our goal is to be invisible and that is the same goal as every truck driver I know.  We want to go down the road legally and safely not bothering anyone and performing our job. 

At times vehicles have passed me with their fingers waving out the window, with their horns blaring, or by revving their engines as they pass.  This usually happens when I am looking for a address or for the correct driveway to pull into to either deliver or pick up a load.  Our loads are usually not at a dock and can be at an office building and have very tight parking lots.  It is really the pits to pull into an office complex and realize the only way out is to back out onto a street.  That is when we are really glad we are a team. To keep from having to back out of a location we use our turn signals and look before the turn. 

While traveling with a load the preference is to not be noticed as cars pass around us, merge onto the roadway, or pass us.  When we stop to grocery shop, get a haircut, do laundry, or change drivers in a parking lot the goal is to leave the lot the same way it was found or better as a abandoned shopping cart is usually picked up on the way into the store.   

How many trucks a day does a car traveling cross country pass or interact with?  I believe most trucks are not noticed unless it is for a cool paint scheme or something interesting about the truck or trailer.  What is noticed is rude behavior and that is what is remembered; not all of those many many trucks that were passed and not noticed. 

Our business depends on us not meeting you when we are out on the interstates, highways, roads or driving in a parking lot.  Let’s meet over coffee or a glass of tea and have a nice chat that does not involve cars with revolving lights on the top.  

Personally, I want to go each day being invisible and only be remembered as a truck with a hidden Mickey on the side.   

Comments (0)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

Read These Next...

TRUCK Smart

Too Many Fatal Accidents

August 07, 2016

TRUCK Smart

Anticipation

December 11, 2015

TRUCK Smart

Dangerously Distracted

February 07, 2016