Driven to Succeed

Driven to Succeed: Trucker Country's Official Monthly Newsletter
January 26, 2007 Driven to Succeed: January 2007 Edition

Hello from the desk/steering wheel of Jim Purcell. I hope you had a great Christmas and holiday season. Happy new year!

For new and future truckers, Trucker Country has recently launched Get My CDL! The New Trucker Career Center. From there you can access the State Directory of CDL Resources and Truck Driving Schools. Also, there's free CDL Practice Tests to help you get ready to pass the official CDL tests and get licensed! Finally, there's "Trucking Made Easy" the Complete E-Series of guides I wrote and put together for anyone interested in becoming a trucker and succeeding at the trucking job and life on the road.

This month I want to talk a little about effective CB Radio communication for truckers on the road.

I've heard many drivers say they don't use the CB Radio or prefer to keep it turned off unless they need to use it for information, directions, etc.

First, I agree that often times it's tough to listen to the nonsense that comes out of the CB and into your truck... the so-called "Sesame Street", infantile noise you hear, especially in the bigger truck stops. Sometimes you even hear it while driving down the road... rudeness, profanity, racism, you name it.

However, here's the point. You NEED to have a CB Radio in your truck and you NEED to keep it turned on. I'm writing this just minutes after having to swerve and just barely miss some lumber and drywall that was in the right lane of I-55, just south of St. Louis. There was another big truck in front of mine who should have told me what danger was approaching. (The driver also had to swerve at the last second, which means he should have been watching further down the road - but that's another subject for another time).

He should have said, "southbound, watch out for some debris in the right lane at mile marker #123". He also should have immediately moved over into the left lane if possible to both avoid the debris and to allow following vehicles to better see the road.

Bottom line, as you're driving down the road, keep your radio turned on. At the very least, keep the volume low enough to hear your stereo, but loud enough to hear important transmissions.

Important Uses For Your CB Radio: 1. Knowing what the road is like ahead of you, including road construction, traffic, and weather conditions. And, of course, bear reports. For trip planning information and resources, go to The Trucker Country Trip Planning Center. 2. Passing the time while going down the road, etc. 3. Helping others (and yourself) keep alert, especially while driving at night. Notice that I didn't say help keep "awake". If you're getting tired, pull over at a truck stop or rest area and get some sleep. No load is worth risking your life or the life of others out there!

For more information about the CB Radio, including CB Radio Basics, CB terminology, CB 10-codes, Trucker CB Radio Communication, and CB Radios and Accessories for sale, go to Trucker Country's CB Radio Center.

I should mention this as well - Don't just listen to other drivers and gather information for yourself. Help out your fellow drivers and give them information which will help them stay safe and informed about the road ahead.

That's all for now. Drive safe out there!

Jim Purcell

President, Trucker Country