New Mexico Truck Drivers Need to have a CDL and Learn the Smith System of Defensive Driving to Safe Our Lives!

Posted 

September 16, 2016

 by Caruso Law Offices, P.C. | 

CDL and Smith System of Defensive Driving: A Combination New Mexico Truck Drivers Need to Do to Save Everyone Else’s Lives

All too often we hear about a trucking accident where multiple people are seriously injured, paralyzed, or killed, but the truck driver walks away without a scratch.  This is partially because truck drivers sit in a large cabin which is higher off the ground and surrounded by a large steel compartment.  However, this is also do to the fact that many trucking companies teach truck drivers certain maneuvers or train drivers how to react in high risk situations to save their lives—not necessarily the lives of others on or near the roadway.

For instance, a common example is where a truck is unable to stop in time and the driver is trained to just rear end the other vehicle instead of trying to steer away aggressively and possible jackknife or flip and kill more people including the driver.

Training like this is reactionary and results in the death of many people on or near the roadway.  One such instance is the case being tried by the Mark Caruso, wherein the passenger was killed when three large commercial trucks continued full speed through a dust storm and rear ended several passenger vehicles.  There was a large explosion and a fire which killed seven passengers who burned to death.  None of the truck drivers were injured.

Truck Driver Training Needs to be Precautionary before it needs to be Reactionary to SAVE LIVES

Training needs to be precautionary and preemptive.  Meaning, training needs to prevent truck drivers from being in the position where they will have to choose between jackknifing and rear ending an innocent individual.  That way truck drivers will never have to choose between life and death situations where they place their lives about the lives of others.

A commercial driver license, or CDL, requires an extensive amount of testing and training before it can be earned pursuant to federal regulations and requirements.  This includes a test to obtain a commercial learner’s permit, or CLP, and training with an experienced CDL driver before taking the road skills test.  Once passing the road skills test, a CDL applicant will have to submit a 10 year driver’s history to ensure safe driving.  An applicant will also have to certify his or her medical condition and ability to drive.  A further knowledge test is required and the applicant must score more than 80%. There is also another tests skills for the specific vehicle that the CDL applicant is going to operate is also required.  These tests and requirements all ensure that a CDL applicant is driving safe and understands the responsibility of his or her vehicle.

Even after receiving a CDL, truck drivers should also take, understand, and utilize the Smith System of Defensive Driving which we recently discussed on our last blog post.  This system provides preventative and precautionary conduct which helps keep others safe while on the roads.  This includes the following:

  • Aim High in Steering – View further down the road, not just what is immediately in front of you;
  • Stay Alert of Your Surroundings and Look at the Big Picture of the Road – View the entire roadway, including way ahead of you, behind, and to your sides;
  • Keep Your Eyes Constantly Moving – Don’t zone out and keep moving and analyzing hazards with your eyes constantly scanning;
  • Leave Yourself an Out – Always have a lane or area to stop, swerve to, or slow down in if you are presented with an immediate hazard—don’t get boxed in; and
  • Make Sure Other Motorists See You – Most accidents occur when another driver does not see you, so always make sure other motorists see you and know where you are at all times.

Following the Training and Knowledge from the CDL Application Process and the Smith System of Defensive Driver Will Safe the Lives of All Others on the Roadway

If a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a New Mexico trucking accident, contact the experienced trucking accident attorneys at the Mark Caruso today by dialing (505) 407-0458.  You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.

free consultation

Please fill out this form and send it and we will quickly reach back out to you with answers.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call to arrange a no-pressure confidential and FREE consultation with an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney

Nothing can financially and emotionally prepare us for the injuries and suffering after a severe accident. Feeling overwhelmed, confused, and powerless in such a situation is normal, particularly if you are undergoing treatment.

Our New Mexico truck accident attorneys are aggressive, result-focused advocates for injured victims. Your free consultation is always with an attorney, not a paralegal. We handle truck accident cases throughout the entire state of New Mexico and all pueblos and reservations in New Mexico.

Get a free consultation by phone, at our office, your home, the hospital or other location. We travel the state representing clients, so we can meet you anywhere in New Mexico

CALL US

Learn more about how our dedication to results can benefit you. Start with a free initial consultation.
California Ontario Albuquerque Alamogordo Belen Bernalillo Carlsbad Cibola County Clovis Deming Farmington Gallup Grants Hobbs Las Cruces Las Vegas Los Lunas Lovington Moriarty Rio Rancho Roswell Sandoval County Santa Fe Silver City Torrance County Valencia
map of united states

Copyright © 2024 Caruso Law Offices, P.C. | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Powered by:
epic web results