Question:
O.K. Despite the negative aspects of trucking, suppose a newbie such as myself has already done the first stupid thing and has decided that he still wants to be an OTR driver. That settled, my objective is to be the best driver I can be out there. When I say "best" I do not mean "SUPERTRUCKER". My goal is to be safe and not kill myself or anybody else, and 1 million safe miles seems to be a good target to aim at.
Now, other than staying off the roads (which is not a realistic option for me) what pointers can those of you who are seasoned, safe drivers give a rookie who wants to achieve such goals? What are the traits of somebody who is truly a professional out there? What are the things you see on the road that finger somebody as either a newbie or just downright dangerous?
Thanks! I'm looking forward to your replies.

Answer:
Be clean and presentable , take your time and remember you learn something new all the time.

Answer:
Make safety number one above everytging else. Learn the Smith System and follow it 100 percent.

Answer:
When I was a rookie, I thought just like you. I wanted to blend in, and act professional.
When you roll along, find a truck that moves at about the speed you wanna go at and follow it along at enough distance to where you can see past him a bit and see what he sees, but not more than recommended following distance, so not everyone and their mom jumps between you and your ' front door'.
Just follow him along to get a feel of what he does when, how steady hes rolling and such. You can learn a lot by examples...


Answer:
Learn to manage your time so you don't feel pushed to put the pedal on the floor.
Don't ever let your anger drive the truck for you, just laugh at the idiots around you.
Listen to your body tell you when it needs sleep, and act accordingly. Learn to recognize the signs of your own tiredness, and respond in the early stages.
Drive defensively, always assuming that the other driver is an idiot.
Learn to run in packs of other trucks safely. There is safety in numbers, you aren;t as likely to get picked off by police that way.
Maintain a professional appearance and decorum. Your appearance and behavior to the shipper and receiver can make your life much easier. If you go to the same shippers very often, get phone numbers from them that work and apply the personal touch.
Take time to teach your dispatcher how you like to run. Let him/her know your limits of what you can and will do, and what you can't and won't do. This will eliminate most dispatch problems. Make sure they understand when you say "no", it's because you can't make something happen, not because you just don't want to.As long as the paperwork's clean, you boys can do whatever you want to out on the road" Mad Max ...1979

Answer:
Be clean and presentable at all times (wear jeans and shoes)
Take a shower more than once every two weeks
Always be courteous and professional when dealing with the public, shippers, receivers, dispatchers, fleet managers and bosses. I know most supertruckers demand respect but always remember you get what you give in this world.
Get Out And Look!!!
Drive defensively
Always have a way out
It is ok to do 62 mph and let the 65er's be able to pass you when necessary
Scan your mirrors and gauges every 5-10 seconds (takes a while to make it a habit but once you do its a great habit to get into)
Scan onramps and offramps for merging traffic
When you are changing lanes do it very slowly and carefully (signal 5 seconds before moving in your lane, then merge, cancel signal when you completed the lane change)
Pick up hints and tips from other seasoned drivers try to mimic a pro or find a mentor, just don't pick up the bad habits (that helped me a lot and continues to)
It's called fuel not gas and signal not blinker
It's a job act like it
The fuel island is for fuel and windows, go park it when you want to shower or hit the buffet
The CB went out in 1985
Answer:
Remember, you are working in a new deminsion now .. always look up!
You can go up a hill too fast many times, you can only go down it too fast only once.
You may break the laws of man, and never be caught. You may break the laws of God until judgement day. You break the law of physics and you will be tried, convicted and sentenced here and now! Slow down on curves and ramps!

Answer:
Patience
Answer:
Begin. Believe the stories they hear from most of the "highway hero" group.
Answer:
If you are talking on cb and all the sudden some fool comes on flapping his lips trying to tick you off. Turn off the cb. Dont let some fool get you all hyped up. They have nothing better to do then try and get your attention like a 2 yr old would
Answer:
Oh yea I forgot rule number one, PEE IN A TOILET!!!
Answer:
Learn to run in packs of other trucks safely. There is safety in numbers, you aren;t as likely to get picked off by police that way.
Hey Burky, tell me your kidding!!!
I do what ever I can to stay as far away from you Mother F..ers that run in packs.
you aren;t as likely to get picked off by police that way.
why the "F" would you "get picked off by the police? unless your running like a Mother F..er 5 feet from each others bumpers...
Another "truck driving school wonder boy" giving advice.....
I'm working on my 23rd year with a clean MVR.
I've run 48 States, 6 Provence's of Canada, I've lost count on how many millions of miles over the years.
How you may asks?
By staying as far away from you Mother "f"ers as possible....

Answer:

Radar detectors help also. Disclaimer:Pick too ugly to post at this time,LOL.

Answer:
I haven't seen a radar detector on the market yet that works better than my common sense.
Cruise control helps to...

Answer:
By the way.
That is why I stay as far away from you Mother 'F" ers as I possible can.
Because you have no common sense....