After thousands of in-depth motor carrier crash investigations, SALT has identified the following actions a professional driver should never do.

 

The Never Ever Rules:

1. Never ever drive in a state of fatigue or illness.

2. Never ever drive blind (in dust, fog, smoke, snow, rain, darkness, or anything when obstructing the road ahead). 

3. Never ever park or stop on the side (emergency lane/shoulder) of a high-speed roadway when it is possible to exit the high-speed roadway and stop. 

4. Never ever block a travel lane or stop in the emergency lane without setting out triangles immediately

5. Never ever move your vehicle(s) if children or bicyclists are in the area until you are able to keep constant eyesight surveillance on them and can stop if necessary - - without exception!

6. Never ever go to the left to avoid a head-on collision.  Stop on first notice of hazard and steer to the right, off the traveled part of the roadway.

7. Never ever stop on the approach side of an accident if it is possible to go around it.  Stop on the other side of an accident only if it is necessary to render aid.

8. Never ever drive on ice (black or completely ice covered roads).  Always wait awhile for it to clear up.

9. Never ever approach closer than 25 feet to a flatbed trailer being loaded or unloaded and this means all four sides.  If you are doing the loading/unloading, stop until no one is around the trailer unit.  Always keep checking as you proceed.

10. Never ever operate commercial vehicular equipment without thoroughly checking its condition, particularly steering, brakes, and under the unit around the axles and brakes (pre-trip inspection).  Also make certain nothing will fall from your units (rocks, bolts, etc.)

11. Never ever back up or continue backing when you cannot see your spotter (backing assistant) and can maintain eyesight vision of their location.  There must be no exceptions to this rule.

12. Never ever open the doors of a trailer when you are within 10 feet of a building or dock.  Watch out for falling freight every time you open the back doors.