The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-23
Defensiue Drifting
 Louers Death Toll
Truck Drivers Caution Skill Patience Lowers Highway Mortality Rate - Experts Give Opin- ions - Traffic Institute to Open in Knoxville.

You may not think the truck driver has much concern for your safety on the highway. But the National Safety Council produced facts and figures today to prove that in the matter of safe driving, the trucker comes closer to being his brothers keeper than does your Uncle Joe or Sister Susie.
 More and more of these truck CTS, says the Council, are learning that professional driving is one game where the best offense isn't the best defense-that com- mercial vehicle drivers job de- pends upon a good safety record.
 Defensive driving tactics top the list in the code of the road for these men who make their lv- ing behind the wheel.
 What are defensive driving tac- tics? The National Safety Council says they are habits which not only keep the trucker himself out of trouble, but don't force other drivers into situations that result in accidents.
 Poll Of Opinions
 Truck driver opinion on defen- sive driving was polled by the Council as a prelude to the Ma tional Institute for Traffic Safety Training to be conducted on the campus of the University of Ten nessee at Knoxville, August 12-24. Defensive driving will be the sub- ject of a course of commercial vehicle fleet men at the Institute. James G. Hayden, the councils chief fleet engineer, will teach the course, assisted by safety experts in the field of commercial fleet operation.
 Here, in their own words, are a few of the defensive driving tricks, as turned up by the poll, which are employed by truckers to guard your safety as well as their own:
 T try to arrange my stopping so I eat at dusk" said one-a driver who has negotiated night run through heavy traffic for l3 years without single accident a total of 780,000 miles; This is the time when headlights bother me most. I take a full hour for supper and resume driving after darkness has fallen ."
 Every truck driver know does the same thing I do when I get sleepy-pulls off to the side of the road for a nap," said another. "But if I get sleepy very often and can't figure it out, I have my eyes tested, because chances are it's eye fatigue rather than actual SleepineSS. ."
 From Experts
 And here are other safe driving tips from these professionals who ought to know:
 'If I see car coming at me, crowding the center lane or strad- ding it, I know he's travelling fast, probably 60 or better, and I give him all the room I can. When they're driving at around 40 they keep pretty well over to their own side of the road. But at 50 they start creeping towards the center, and at 60 or 70 they're usually driving right smack down the middle of the road. It's not safe to drive near the edge at that speed, and they know it ."
 Every time I roll onto three lane highway I take extra plains to watch my P's and Q's. Those three-laners are about the worst traps I know of. With cars travelling both ways, and using that center lane for jockeying, and out, you take your life in your hands if you get out there when traffic is moving both ways :"
 T try to cover up for the pri- vate driver in every way I know. Even though they get in your hair, it's worth 1t. just to keep them out of trouble as well as myself. There's hardly a day goes by but what I save some guy a head-on collision by slowing up as he passes me. so he can get back into line before a car from the other direction smacks him. The trouble is. private drivers know we'll cover up for 'em and, boy, do they take advantage of usi :"
 Tt seems like everybody is go- ing somewhere oa Saturdays and Sundays. and one of the defensive tricks I use Is to pull of tho high- way at . filling station or cross roads whenever . line of traffic gangs up behind me. to let 'em pass. figure it's . good will builder and. st the same time. it may save some guy from breaking