Since my background is in transportation, over 35 years of truck driving experience (with no accidents) and reading volumes of reference material, I can offer sound advice on highway safety. This will be a question and answer type page. Any question you present, I’ll try my best to answer for you.

As a first topic, let’s try “Safety when driving close to tractor-trailers:”

A normal driver on the interstate has no idea what is involved in trying to get one of these things (a great big tractor trailer, or semi for short) down the road. Semi drivers’ field of vision is restricted and they rely on their mirrors to identify where other vehicles are on the road. Automobile and small truck drivers need to understand the danger in driving too close, driving in a “blind spot”, or stopping in front of a semi. When an automobile is following too close, for example, the driver of the semi can’t see them. “If You Can’t See My Mirrors, I Can’t See You!” is displayed on the back of many semis today. That is a true statement! If the driver of the car is passing and takes a long time to get around, they run the risk of being in the semi driver’s blind spot. He can’t see them! If he needs to change lanes, he is likely to run them off the road, or at least scare them by getting very close. When passing a semi, you should go on around as quickly and safely as possible to avoid this situation.

Another important fact for driving around those big rigs, they do NOT stop on a dime. Most semi's and those big, box trailers they haul have a combined weight of between 60,000 and 79,000 POUNDS! No brake in the world is going to quickly stop the kind of momentum 30-39 TONS has once a truck is in motion. If you cut in front of a semi, then slam on your brakes to make it to the exit ramp, you can be sure your risking a few metal shavings in your teeth, and a pancake for transportation. Patience on the road is life-saving! If you just take the few extra seconds to get behind the traffic BEFORE your exit, you save yourself and others potential harm. Give 'em a brake doesn't just mean for road construction, it also is good advice for all drivers.

These are just a few of the things we will cover. We will go in depth on accidents and other safety issues such as seat belts or airbags. We will also have some safety courses to discuss and try to pick the best of them for drivers of different types of vehicles.

Please feel free to ask questions and suggest topics. Our aim is to prevent as many accidents as possible. Submit your questions through our ABOUT US page, we want to help you live a healthy and safe life.

On Friday, April 18th, 2:00pm on Hwy 205 in Portland, Oregon, during a 10 mile drive, speeds of 55-60mph, in heavy traffic, Truck Driver observed:

1. A woman driving a car, digging through a large manila folder, looking for something.

2. An older man driving a garbage truck reading a newspaper.

3. A woman talking on a cellphone, driving with her KNEES because she was using her free hand to gesture in the air.

4. A man eating a large hamburger and fries, who knows who was steering.

5. A man driving a truck at high speed weaving in and out of lanes, cutting people off.

and.. the worst of all...

6. A woman driving AND reading a paperback novel propped up on the steering wheel.

NOTE: All the above were PASSING the truck!

Scary? I should say so!

Did you identify with any of the above? If so, just remember: accidents happen awfully fast, and if you are reading or eating while driving, your attention is not on the road, where it belongs. What if Mr. Reckless decides to cut you off, then slams on his brakes because he's boxed in? Defensive driving comes first, leave the rest for when you arrive safely at your destination.