Skaggmo

For the past six years, I've been writing about City Driving for Ten-Four Magazine. Plus, I've been a trucker for over twenty years, while living and working mostly in Chicago. In all my years of trucking and writing, I have attended at least two dozen orientations at some of the top trucking companies in the Country. I have seen how the best do it, and I can honestly tell you that not one of them covers City Driving, at all. What's worse, City Driving is probably the most difficult aspect of trucking.

Some of the problems city drivers encounter on a daily basis lead many drivers to a long, frustrating career, full of one aggravation after another. They get frustrated because they have to face traffic jams everywhere, more and more lately, when they have no time to lose. They get frustrated when they keep getting stopped by one traffic light after another, whenever they get to any major metropolitan area. Just by simply being conscience of the fact that you are in a hurry, is frustrating to almost anyone, and truck drivers are almost always in a hurry, all of the time. Then, add to that, the fact that other people keep getting in the way; traffic on the road, communications with dispatch, phone calls, fuel, etc. Their fuse grows shorter with the years, or, they learn how to cope with it and somehow find the strength to smile at people.  

The problem is, most drivers look at it emotionally, when they could be taught to look at it logically. It's not their fault. It's just that most of them never thought of it that way, because they were never taught that side of the logic of it all. Most drivers understand the logic of open-road driving; logbook math, travel times and more. But when a big city throws a monkey wrench into their plans, they need to know city logic.

That's what the Ten Keys do. They teach the logic. Why do we get emotional? What causes traffic jams and road rage? How much time am I really saving when I speed in a city? How long does it take to drive five miles in Chicago? How can I be safe and hurry at the same time? Drivers are thinkers. They have plenty of time to analyze everything while they drive, and they do. Let's give them this logic and let them think about it for a while.

Wouldn't you like to see a reduction in rear-end collisions, lane-changing accidents and road rage incidents? If these Ten Keys can prevent just one accident, and I think they certainly will, then it will be well worth the investment. Especially, when you consider the Tenth Key- How to Make Sure an Accident is Never Your Fault.

What better way is there to let a driver analyze the logic of City Driving, than while he is driving and looking right at it (while listening to the CD explain it)? The CD's are only $5.00 each and shipping is included. Please, order some today here and help spread this important message. We deliver right away.

1. Understand Traffic Waves - When you understand what traffic waves are, you can easily dissolve them.

2. Prevent Traffic Jams - By understanding what causes traffic jams, you can actually prevent them.

3. Stay Calm - It's easy to stay calm during stressful traffic situations, when you understand what makes you stressful.

4. Do the Math - There's an easy math system (you can do in your head) that proves that only a few seconds can possibly be saved while driving in a city, so it is therefore pointless to try to hurry.

5. Be Predictable - Sudden movements cause accidents. Steady, predictable movements give others a chance to react.

6. Time Traffic Lights - Timing traffic lights so that you don't have to stop, will reduce stress and equipment wear.

7. Expect the Expected - Getting cut-off on the highway is so commonplace now, you should really be expecting it.

8. Compensate for the Ignorant - Take pride in the fact that you are one of the few who gets it. Then, you will feel sorry for ignorant drivers, instead of getting mad at them.

9. Teach Others - Help spread the word so that everyone will learn to prevent traffic jams, rather than cause them. Everyone who drives, whether it's a car or a truck, needs to learn how to prevent traffic jams.

10. Make Sure an Accident is Never your Fault - Two simple rules will keep you in the right, every time. Pound these two simple things into your head and you will never have an accident that is your fault.

These Ten Keys will not only keep you safe, they will help you stay calm under pressure, reduce wear and tear on equipment, prevent traffic jams, prevent road rage, and help you become one of the few who will one day be able to say that you have never had an accident that was your fault.

Email Ken Skaggs to arrange a live seminar at your school or company here.

Order CD's, DVD's MP3's here.