To test the parking brake: fasten safety belt, set parking brake, place vehicle into a low gear, and gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds.

It takes a typical tractor trailer unit at least 14 seconds to clear a single track and more than 15 seconds to clear a double track.

Because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle, backing is always dangerous. Avoid backing whenever you can. When you have to back, here are a few simple safety rules: start in the proper position, look at your path, use mirrors on both sides, back slowly, back and turn toward the driver's side if possible, use a helper whenever possible.

Escape ramps have been built on many steep mountain downgrades. Escape ramps are made to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose, soft material to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade.

Forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear at high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to loss of all engine braking effect.

Signal early and leave the signal on until the maneuver is complete. Signal well before you turn. It is the best way to keep others from trying to pass you.

Black ice is a thin layer that is clear enough that you can see the road underneath it. It makes the road look wet. Any time the temperature is below freezing, and the road looks wet, watch out for black ice.

If you find yourself being tailgated, here are some things you can do to reduce the chances of a crash: avoid quick changes, increase your following distance, don't speed up, and don't turn on your taillights or flash your brake lights.

If possible, try to schedule trips for the hours you are normally awake. Many heavy motor vehicle accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m.

Driving too fast is a major cause of fatal crashes. You must adjust your speed depending on driving conditions. These include traction, curves, visibility, traffic and hills.

Commercial vehicles are often wide and take up most of a lane. Safe drivers will manage what little space they have. You can do this by keeping your vehicle centered in your lane and avoid driving alongside others.

Avoid backing whenever you can. When you park, try to park so you will be able to pull forward when you leave.

Some vehicles have sight glasses, see-through coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery containers. These permit you to check the coolant level while the engine is hot. If the container is not part of the pressurized system, the cap can be safely removed, and coolant added even when the engine is at operating temperature.

To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.

The pitman arm, spindle, tie rod, and steering gear box are all parts of the steering system.

A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, a crash caused by the defect. Also, Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles.

Check all of the following for looseness, sticking, damage, or improper setting: steering wheel, clutch, and accelerator.

The liver can only process one-third an ounce of alcohol per hour, which is considerably less than the alcohol in a standard drink. This is a fixed rate, so only time, not black coffee or a cold shower, will sober you up.

BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink, how fast you drink, and your weight. Alcohol goes directly into the blood stream from the stomach. The liver can only process one-third an ounce of alcohol per hour.

Watch for: vehicles that may drift over the lane divider lines or within their own lane; vehicles traveling at inconsistent speeds; drivers who are preoccupied with maps, food, cigarettes, cell phones, or other objects; drivers who appear to be involved in conversations with their passengers.

If the load is more than two feet wide and extends more than four feet behind the rear of the vehicle, two square red flags must be placed at the end of the load.

Shut off engine and take key with you so someone else won't move truck while you are under it.

Forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear at high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to loss of all engine braking effect.

If you don't sleep enough, you "owe" more sleep to yourself. This debt can only be paid off by sleeping. You can't overcome it with willpower, and it won't go away by itself. The average person needs seven or eight hours of sleep every 24 hours.

Never leave your vehicle unattended without applying the parking brakes or chocking the wheels. Your vehicle might roll away and cause injury and damage.

Blocking is used in the front, back, and/or sides of a piece of cargo to keep it from sliding. Blocking is shaped to fit snugly against cargo. It is secured to the cargo deck to prevent cargo movement.

Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume they don't see you. They could suddenly move in front of you. When it is legal, tap the horn lightly or, at night, flash your lights from low to high beam and back. And, drive carefully enough to avoid a crash even if they don't see or hear you.

Before you begin backing, work out a set of hand signals that you both understand. Agree on a signal for "stop."

All of the following drinks contain the same amount of alcohol: A 12-ounce glass of 5% beer. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine. A 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof whiskey.

During your pre-trip inspection you will need to check cargo securement, and vehicle lights to make sure the vehicle is safe to go on the road. Fuel is a responsibility of the driver to transport the cargo and is not checked on the pre-trip inspection.

Always be prepared to act based on your plans. In this way, you will be a prepared, defensive driver who will improve your own safety as well as the safety of all road users.

When you're in an accident and not seriously hurt, you need to act to prevent further damage or injury. The basic steps to be taken at any accident are to: protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured.

Your most important consideration is to select a speed that is not too fast for the: total weight of the vehicle and cargo, length of the grade, steepness of the grade, road conditions, and weather.

If possible, avoid using the brakes until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph, and gently return to the road.

If you find yourself being tailgated: avoid quick changes, signal early, reduce speed very gradually, increase your following distance, and don't speed up.

Check for missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts.

If a traffic light has been green for a long time it will probably change before you get there. Start slowing down and be ready to stop.

If an oncoming driver has drifted into your lane, a move to your right is best. If that driver realizes what has happened, the natural response will be to return to their own lane. No one is likely to be driving on the shoulder, but someone may be passing you on the left.

It will take longer to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding, when the road is slippery. So, making gentle turns is key when the roads are slippery.

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads require special transit permits. Driving is usually limited to certain times. Special equipment may be necessary such as "wide load" signs, flashing lights, flags, etc.