When preparing for your commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing, the single most helpful study aid is your state’s CDL manual. The CDL manual covers many different commercial driving topics ranging from pre-trip inspections to whether your vehicle requires a CDL to how to safely operate the commercial vehicle you will be expected to drive.

While there are many factors in safe driving, two critical components to safe truck operation are anticipation and communication. Anticipation means the ability to predict potential hazards before they become dangerous. Communication in a commercial truck involves making sure other drivers sharing the road with you know your intentions at all times. Both anticipation and communication are extensively covered in Illinois’ most recent CDL manual.

Anticipating the actions of other drivers and pedestrians

When behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound rig, you have to scan the road looking for potential hazards continually. The CDL manual identifies several potential risks that truck drivers need to be aware of, including:

  • Pedestrians and Cyclists. These individuals are typically on the road with their back to the traffic, meaning that they often cannot see a truck coming behind them. Bikers and walkers also often wear headphones, which make it difficult for them to hear oncoming commercial vehicles as well.
  • Confused Drivers. These drivers can be prone to sudden direction changes or braking – often without warning. Confused drivers are usually so focused on figuring out where they need to get off or turn that they are not paying close attention to drivers around them. When driving around confused drivers, truck operators should slow down, move out of the way, and anticipate erratic driving.
  •  Impaired Drivers.  Impaired drivers can be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or they could simply be fatigued. Regardless, these drivers can often be identified by their inability to stay within their lane. Similar to confused drivers, the CDL manual recommends slowing down and avoiding these drivers.

How to communicate your driving maneuvers safely

In addition to anticipating hazards, truck drivers must communicate their driving maneuvers to other drivers. The general rule for CDL drivers is that other drivers cannot know what you are going to do until you express your intentions. Signaling what you intend to do is essential.

Illinois lays out some helpful guidelines for properly signaling your intentions to other drivers:

  1. Signal early. Signal well before you turn. It is the best way to keep others from trying to pass you.
  2. Signal continuously. You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely. Do not cancel the signal until you have completed the turn.
  3. Cancel your signal. Do not forget to turn off your turn signal after you have turned.

When braking, truck drivers should tap the brake pedals a few times to flash the brake lights for drivers behind it (assuming it is not an emergency stop). This tip is particularly important when driving conditions make safe stopping more difficult for trailing drivers – such as at night or in slick road conditions.

For more information on all of the factors in safe truck driving, we recommend you check out your state’s CDL manual – many of which are readily available online. In addition to requiring a review of the CDL manual, safe trucking companies will also offer drivers a robust training program that ensures that they know and understand all of the safe driving concepts from the manual.

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