Reinforce the everyday habits that help a professional driver recognize hazards early, maintain awareness, and make safer decisions.
Don't just watch the vehicle immediately in front of you.
Look far enough ahead that you can recognize developing situations before they become emergencies.
FMCSA recommends looking at least 15 seconds ahead. That gives you more time to recognize changing traffic conditions and respond smoothly.
Give yourself time. The earlier you recognize a problem, the more options you have.
Professional driving requires continuous observation.
Don't stare at one area of the roadway. Check your mirrors regularly, watch the traffic around you and keep scanning for changes.
FMCSA recommends checking mirrors regularly and before changing lanes, turning or merging.
If you're only watching what's directly in front of you, you're not seeing the whole driving environment.
You cannot control what another driver is going to do.
You can control how prepared you are when another driver makes a mistake.
Maintain space. Watch for changing traffic. Be prepared for the unexpected.
Defensive driving isn't about assuming everyone else will do the right thing. It's about being prepared when they don't.
FMCSA specifically describes defensive driving in terms of maintaining distance, safe speed and alertness while recognizing potentially dangerous situations in advance.
The posted speed limit isn't the only thing you need to consider.
Traffic, weather, visibility, road conditions and what's happening around your vehicle all affect how much time and space you need.
Give yourself enough room to respond without having to make an emergency decision.
When you're driving a large vehicle, don't just think about where you are.
Think about where you can go if something changes.
If traffic suddenly stops, if another vehicle moves into your lane, or if something appears in your path, having space available can make a major difference.
Don't wait until the emergency happens to start thinking about your options.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has developed the following resource to help commercial motor vehicle operators recognize unsafe driving behaviors and strengthen their approach to safety. As you watch the video, don't simply listen to the information. Think about how each principle applies to the situations you encounter behind the wheel.
FMCSA Ohio safety briefing — putting safe driving habits to work.
Video courtesy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
One of the biggest lessons I learned during my career was the importance of being mentally present.
When you get behind the wheel, you have to focus on the job in front of you.
Problems at home are important. Problems at work are important. But when you're operating a commercial motor vehicle, you cannot allow those things to compete with your attention.
There are already enough things demanding your attention: traffic, mirrors, signs, weather, road conditions, your equipment and the actions of other drivers.
Put everything else behind you and focus on the job you're doing right now.
That's one of the disciplines that helped me throughout my career.
— DeLond Parker, Author
Rather than giving you a traditional test, we'll close with a short reinforcement exercise. Take a moment with each question and answer it honestly — to yourself, in your own words.
How far ahead should you be looking while operating a commercial motor vehicle?
Why is it important to continually scan your mirrors and surroundings?
What does defensive driving mean to you?
If another driver makes a mistake, what can you do to give yourself more time and space to respond?
What is one distraction—inside or outside the vehicle—that could interfere with your concentration?
What is one safe-driving habit you need to reinforce in your own driving?
Think about your answer to the last question.
Safety isn't just about knowing what you're supposed to do.
It's about consistently doing it when you're behind the wheel.