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| The Queen City , Charlotte , NC is my last urban challenge before returning home after a turn . Of course , this city is less of a challenge than many other larger urban centers. |
Sitting in the driver’s seat of a large commercial truck can get quite interesting some days. I could share some unique things I have witnessed over the years as I’ve sat stopped in traffic or at stop lights. Drivers can be seen doing all kinds of things in their vehicle. I won’t share some of the really crazy things I’ve seen however I do want to mention that I still see far too many people texting and driving.
As a professional, driving a commercial vehicle requires skill, focus and patience. We too can be distracted by many things we now view as conveniences. It’s our job to keep our eyes focused on the road and remember that driving needs to be our FIRST concentration.
For myself, I enjoy driving on those long, wide open roads with less traffic and distraction. On these days, I can enjoy some music, books on tape and listen to what’s going on in the news. On my regular route, I’m required to travel through Charlotte, Atlanta and Houston. Traveling in large cities today requires a patience level that I think I’ve developed over the last thirty years of driving. My nerves can still get the best of me in rush hour trying to calmly navigate my way along those intensely crowded highways. I see people smoking, pets moving about, eating/drinking, texting, talking on the phone and using computers. My question is how do the ladies apply make up in a suitable fashion while driving and looking at themselves in the mirror?
My commercial driving skills are put to the test in large cities. I have witnessed road rage, aggressive drivers and basically people just not paying attention to driving at all. I make it a priority to be at full attention while driving in and around these large cities. I try to look far ahead in front of me to understand the traffic patterns so I can anticipate an upcoming traffic jam. It’s important to drive slowly and not make any sudden movements which can cause an accident. I do my best to take a calm and steady approach. Heavy city traffic congestion and all the distractions that come with it can cause great stress for drivers. My approach over the years has been to plan ahead. Rushing can create great pressure and therefore many challenges can be avoided by doing some simple planning. Leaving myself plenty of time to make it to my destination helps but isn’t always possible. It’s important to get plenty of rest in order to be fully alert. Check the traffic before entering the city and make sure the route you’ve chosen is the best one for your situation. I always check the weather as well before leaving out for my pick up or delivery. Knowing what to expect can make driving easier.
It requires much patience when traffic congestion is holding you up, however it’s important to remain calm and drive in a professional manner. Getting angry and upset only makes things worse and isn’t good for our health. Navigating through heavy traffic slowly helps me stay in control of my truck and braking patterns. Sometimes, it helps to listen to calming music when the pressure is on. Distractions and heavy congestion throughout large cities is just part of being a commercial driver. If we plan ahead, stay focused and drive slowly, we stand a much better chance of staying safe ourselves and keeping those around us safe as well.