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CMV Driving Tips - Overview

Even the most well-trained, safety-conscious commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver is at risk of engaging in driving behaviors that could lead to a crash on today’s crowded highways. Weather conditions or road conditions change and suddenly “driving too fast for conditions” becomes a risk factor. Failing to look or looking and not seeing, impaired performance because of fatigue, inattention or daydreaming or an unexpected external distraction can all lead to a truck crash.

These Web pages were developed to raise the consciousness of CMV drivers about common driving errors and to provide valuable driving tips through an easily accessible tool, the Internet. Fleet safety managers can also use these Web pages for their driver training programs. These tips offer preventive measures that CMV drivers can take to help avoid crashes.

The driving tips, ideas, and suggestions on these Web pages are supported with real-world video clips (25 to 30 second video clips) recorded in a naturalistic (open roadway, non-test track) driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). The video clips show examples of driver errors that will serve to motivate CMV drivers to become safer drivers and thereby avoid dangerous driving situations. Also, as a training exercise, each video clip is followed by a set of questions to help encourage you to think about and examine the driver's behavior.

Please click on any of the categories below. You will find driving tips, interesting facts, video clips, a video description, and the training exercise questions.