Page 109 - USX Driver Handbook

U.S. XPRESS, INC. DRIVER HANDBOOK U.S. XPRESS, INC. DRIVER HANDBOOK

ensure that no one is behind your truck. You cannot transfer that
responsibility.
• RIGHT TURN SQUEEZE: Most right turn squeeze accidents
happen when the driver pulls into the center of the street and
allows traffic to drive into the blind area between the tractor
semi-trailer and the curb. Drivers must keep the rear of their
trailer as close to the curb as is possible to keep others from
passing you on the right. As you start the turn, try not to turn
wide to the left. Another driver may think you are turning left
and will attempt to pass you on the right.
• FIRES: In the event of a fire, immediately pull as far off the
traffic lanes as possible. Try to put the fire out with the onboard
fire extinguisher. If that fails, pull the fifth wheel pin and pull
out from under the trailer. Make every attempt to save the tractor
without endangering your own safety. Become familiar with
your fire extinguisher before you need to use it.
• STOPPING ON HIGHWAYS: Avoid stopping or parking on
the shoulder of the road or entrance/exit ramps for any reason,
unless you have a breakdown. If you have a breakdown, set out
your triangles and call for assistance.
• ANIMALS ON THE HIGHWAY: Don’t swerve to miss an
animal. Keep your truck in line. Gradually slow down to avoid
hitting the animal if possible. Swerving your truck, or reducing
speed suddenly, could cause an even greater tragedy.

• SPEED: Driving too fast for road conditions is a major
contributing factor in accidents. Driving too fast makes it
harder to maintain a safe following distance, increases the need
for lanes changes, and decreases our time to react properly to
hazards.
• FOLLOWING DISTANCE: Your following distance should
always provide enough space to stop safely. We recommend
at least a six (6) second following distance during normal
conditions. This technique begins by picking out a fixed object
up ahead of the vehicle you are following, waiting for the rear
of the vehicle to pass that object and counting off the seconds
it takes for the front of your vehicle to reach the same point. Of
all the space around your vehicle, it is the area ahead of your
vehicle, the space you are driving into, that is most important!
• LANE CHANGES: Changing lanes is one of the most
dangerous maneuvers. You should minimize the number of lane
changes whenever possible. When a lane change is necessary, it

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