Georgia 18-Wheeler Driver Applauded for Completing Two Million Accident-Free Miles
An 18-wheeler driver in Gray, Georgia recently became the 88th employee in his company's 25-year-old history to complete two million miles of driving without a single accident.
Ken Truman works for Con-Way Freight Company, which currently employs 1,200 drivers. According to management, completing two million miles without being involved in a single accident is a key milestone in the industry. Truman's two million miles is equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 9 times.
Truman, who has been driving since 1998, mentioned several factors that contributed to his impeccable record. As remarkable as his achievement is, it is simply the result of following safe driving practices that 18-wheeler accident lawyers and safety advocates have recommended for years. Truman follows a strict routine before he gets behind the wheel of his big rig to begin work for the day.
- He checks the weather report of his destination.
- He inspects his truck thoroughly. This includes checking the tires, lights, wheels, steering wheel mechanism, and brakes.
- He makes sure that all parts of the 18-wheeler are functioning well and are in perfect condition.
- Once he sets off for the day, Truman drives carefully, regularly checking the movement of other vehicles around him in his mirrors.
- He pays close attention to the speed and actions of vehicles around him. Getting an 18-wheeler to stop or brake takes longer than a passenger vehicle, and so, he is alert to any changes in vehicles nearby.
- He always drives at a speed suitable for traffic and weather conditions.
- He makes it a point to drive a few miles slower than the speed limit because he knows the danger of being in a hurry. Driving under the limit does not slow him down that much, he says, and the end result is a safer road for him and other vehicles sharing the road.
- Truman knows and believes in the value of taking frequent rest and meal breaks to avoid driver fatigue. As he admits, staying alert and awake behind the wheel after driving long hours is the biggest challenge facing a truck driver. He takes a break for meals and rest once he reaches his destination and before be begins the long journey back home.
Trucking Safety
18-wheeler drivers face numerous challenges as they navigate, often, busy traffic on a daily basis. Big rigs are large, bulky and cumbersome, and a driver's job involves seemingly endless hours of driving alone. Even so, as Truman proves, driving in an 18-wheeler can be a safe and smooth experience if drivers make the effort to drive slowly, steadily, and with caution. Ken Truman deserves kudos and we hope more 18-wheeler drivers follow his example.
If you've been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.
The 18-wheeler was carrying 41,000 pounds of cotton and yarn. The truck collided with a set of barrels, leading to a shift in the weight of the trailer. The driver, Edward James Clements Jr., lost control of the tractor trailer and skidded more than 300 feet before flipping over. The 18-wheeler then continued to skid another 100 feet after overturning before it came to a stop. Clements was taken to the hospital after complaining of back pain.