Think Only Newbies Have Accidents? Think Again! - Article By Rainy

We have another awesome article by Rainy called:

Think Only Newbies Have Accidents? Think Again!

This is a very important article for drivers of all skill and experience levels, as you can probably tell from the title. Student drivers may not know what they're doing, but they realize they don't know what they're doing so they tend to be super cautious.

The problem is you drivers with a little bit of experience that think you have it all figured out.

"Oh no, not me! I learn something new every day!"

Yeah, baloney. You all say that. Then you're out there tailgating 20 feet of someone's bumper or driving too fast through truck stop parking lots.

"Oh yeah, maybe that is me."

Yeah, well it's time you take a look in the mirror before something really bad happens, eh?

Here's some great advice and insights from Rainy about staying safe out there on the highway:

Think Only Newbies Have Accidents? Think Again!

As ALWAYS, yet another MOST OUTSTANDING ARTICLE

This is really good!

I see this all the time out here. I've gotten to where when I see experienced drivers doing dumb stuff, I stop and ask myself, "Am I that guy?" I try to test myself and make sure I'm still being vigilant about safety and not letting myself get too relaxed out here. Being confident is one thing, but when it's mixed with complacency it becomes a deadly combination.

Great article Rainy!

As a person who once took flight lessons (didn't have a medical so technically not a "student pilot") this didn't surprise me at all.

In General Aviation they actually refer to the period from approx. 100 - 300 hours of experience as "the Killing Zone!"

'Nuff said!

We have another awesome article by Rainy called:

Think Only Newbies Have Accidents? Think Again!

This is a very important article for drivers of all skill and experience levels, as you can probably tell from the title. Student drivers may not know what they're doing, but they realize they don't know what they're doing so they tend to be super cautious.

The problem is you drivers with a little bit of experience that think you have it all figured out.

Looking on this website for awhile, got interested in trucking for the opportunity to do something better with my life. I got my CDL in 2018 from one of the Mega carriers and had so many hard lessons to learn and alot of humbling moments: had two backing incidents and went off road once. BUT the lessons haven't stopped, lol. I was making a delivery, the other day in a tight area, pulled up to straighten the tractor and BAMMM. That sound was my bumper wiping out on the curb. The day was supposed to be an easy delivery and then split to the terminal. Let me tell you after knocking off my bumper I spent almost 10 hrs waiting around for another new replacement bumper. What made it worse was the dock workers just standing around and watching my bumper drag on the ground while I had to finish backing. HAHA

Looking on this website for awhile, got interested in trucking for the opportunity to do something better with my life. I got my CDL in 2018 from one of the Mega carriers and had so many hard lessons to learn and alot of humbling moments: had two backing incidents and went off road once. BUT the lessons haven't stopped, lol. I was making a delivery, the other day in a tight area, pulled up to straighten the tractor and BAMMM. That sound was my bumper wiping out on the curb. The day was supposed to be an easy delivery and then split to the terminal. Let me tell you after knocking off my bumper I spent almost 10 hrs waiting around for another new replacement bumper. What made it worse was the dock workers just standing around and watching my bumper drag on the ground while I had to finish backing. HAHA

Now THAT sucks.

Reminds me of a saying in the Army: "A whole lot of attaboys can be wiped-out by one 'Oh ****'".

Arlander - you Joined 4 years ago and it's your first post!? Thanks for joining in, hopefully it isnt another 4 years for your 2nd

That sucks that it was supposed to be an easy day for you that turned into a long and stress filled day. That's crazy that it took 10 hours for a replacement bumper. I recall my days in the warehouse some guys laughing at a driver trying to back in and doing a not so good job at it. I always asked them if they can do it better what the heck are they doing in the warehouse instead of making more money as a driver. I have a buddy that runs a warehouse that loves sending me videos of drivers trying to back into his dock. Blindside in off the road into driveway then sight side it another 90 into the dock. Hes sent me a few of drivers ripping their doors off because they dont G.O.A.L. and catch them on poles or ripping their bumpers off because when the lot gets plowed the snow gets piled straight across the door minimizing room the drivers have. He loves to mention he used to shag a few trailers a day at the warehouse we worked at (different than one hes at now) for a few years and never caused damage but fails to mention he had enough room for every back to be a straight back.