A commercial driving career involves handling a vehicle on many different types of roads, which can present complex features to navigate. With proper training from Mike’s Driving School’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, vehicle operators can learn to perform their work safely in various settings. Here, our team offers more insight into challenging roads drivers must navigate appropriately.
Common Roadways that Present Issues
A commercial vehicle operator must adapt to different route designs or conditions, as all roads feature tricky aspects and require following several safety standards. Certain route structures present specific concerns a commercial vehicle driver should be mindful of. Typical roadways commercial drivers travel along are:
City and urban environments: Increased pedestrian and traffic congestion, combined with out-of-date road infrastructure, can make driving, loading, and unloading difficult.
Country routes: While traveling in rural areas, a vehicle may be on narrow, winding roads with inconsistent surfaces, pathways without shoulders, or an area with a high animal population.
Highways: Drivers must share this type of road with many other drivers and may have a harder time maneuvering their vehicles, especially when faced with poor conditions, traffic, or construction zones.
Tricky Types of Road Intersections
Intersections can cause issues for any driver, especially a commercial vehicle operator, due to the size of their trucks. Specific ones to be particularly mindful of include:
Acute-angled intersections: Roads meet at a sharp point here, significantly impacting a driver’s visibility.
Irregular intersections: These intersections often occur when a road enters a neighborhood, creating potential driving safety issues.
Lack of left-turn lanes: Someone wishing to turn left must lower their vehicle’s speed to the point that it may completely stop, which could lead to a rear-end collision.
Obtuse intersections: Roads merge at wide angles, which can cause accidents from high-speed vehicle turns.
Roundabouts: Drivers must familiarize themselves with the challenging features of this intersection type to pass through lanes and tight turns safely.
Street intersections: Operators need to be attuned to their vehicle’s blind spot, maneuverability, and stopping distance differences so they can help prevent T-bone accidents or other incidents.
Trouble with Specific Terrains
Drivers should expect to operate their vehicles on various terrains. Knowing how to manage them can help reduce the risks of vehicle damage or accidents. Common problematic areas are:
Desert environments: Extreme heat can harm road surfaces, while sandstorms can reduce a driver’s visibility.
Mountainous regions: Roadways in this environment will likely experience ice or snow impacts, and they often feature sharp curves or steep inclines.
Poorly maintained roads: Routes showing signs of wear and tear, particularly ones with potholes, can create unsafe driving conditions.
Roads impacted by weather: Vehicles on slippery surfaces or traveling through fog are more vulnerable to danger.
Unpaved roads: Poor surface traction, coupled with potential dust or mud formation, remoteness, and lack of signage, can create a risky driving environment.
Prepare to Drive on Roadways Safely
Since a typical commercial driver works about 40-60 hours a week, they will undoubtedly pass through unique travel environments. Learning about different types of roads and reviewing our CDL manual can help prepare them for a host of scenarios, which may come up as they do their jobs.
By learning about the nature of difficult types of roads, a commercial driver can conduct their work effectively as they protect their vehicle, others, and themselves. The instructors at Mike’s Driving School in Clayton, New Jersey, can help students develop the necessary skills to drive in all environments. Our current CDL course offerings include:
We can help prepare our students for industry careers through job assistance and interview preparation. Financial aid opportunities are available to those who qualify. Contact us today to learn more about our CDL program or to sign up for a course.
