My Life As A Rookie Driver

Space management is very important even in slow traffic. I assume it was slow traffic cause you said fender bender and not wreck.

Almost every company teaches the Smith System now and if its followed to the letter accidents do not happen.

No Guy, this was a backing into a parking space accident. Even after I got out and looked, I forgot one very important thing. Sometimes the trailer will continue to move left or right depending on the position of the steering wheel. You might think you have clearance, when you really do NOT. That is why, when you Get Out And Look, really check closely and see if you really can clear that vebicle behind you. Sometimes it is obvious. Others not so much. But if I was paying attention I might have caught it BEFORE I hit the vehicle. I scraped the vehicle on tbe side, so maybe I would'nt have. I don't know. I would like to think that I would have caught it if I looked more closely.

As for the Smith System you are correct. My school taught it. A lot of "veteran" drivers give the impression that they hate the Smith System. I think it is a good tool that rookie drivers need to learn.

Dave

Hey Guy,

Can you briefly describe what the Smith System is? Or give me a link to read up on it? This is the first time I've heard about it.

Thanks.

G MAN

Smith system is pretty much common sense. It consists of things like leaving enough space ALL around your vehicle, front, back, left, right, top, bottom. Always leaving an "out." Things like that. It's amazing how much of a better driver I have become in my car after being in CDL school for 3 weeks... Hell even earlier today I was crossing the street (on foot) and I looked both ways before, during, and after executing my crossing! lol.

Hey Guy,

Can you briefly describe what the Smith System is? Or give me a link to read up on it? This is the first time I've heard about it.

Thanks.

G MAN

That's it..I'm changing my username...too many Guy's on this forum..

Hey Guy,

Can you briefly describe what the Smith System is? Or give me a link to read up on it? This is the first time I've heard about it.

Thanks.

G MAN

On a more serious note...the Smith System is basically a Defensive Driving technique..if you google it..they have a website that pretty much explains it and there are loads of videos and articles on Youtube and the interwebthingamajiggy...

Hey Guy,

Can you briefly describe what the Smith System is? Or give me a link to read up on it? This is the first time I've heard about it.

Thanks.

G MAN

On a more serious note...the Smith System is basically a Defensive Driving technique..if you google it..they have a website that pretty much explains it and there are loads of videos and articles on Youtube and the interwebthingamajiggy...

That's it..I'm changing my username...too many Guy's on this forum..

Thanks Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

G MAN

Smith System

Its an awesome system and I was a certified smith system trainer up to 5 years ago but never renewed the trainer which has to be done once a year.

Stuck in Philly, waiting for a customer. NOT all receivers are 24/7.

Dave

I almost did not make it out of Jersey City. After driving around the city, after almost clipping a pole on a turn, stuck waiting for a "situation" involving police to end, and having a decision to make between truck route or follow signs to the turnpike, I was glad to get out of the city. BTW, I followed the signs to the turnpike.

Dave

Jersey City is just brutal. There's nothing good about driving a truck there. All you can do is try not to hit anything and expect the worst.

Even after 15 years of driving I dreaded going there. I'd take Chicago, Atlanta, or St Louis over Jersey City any day.