TTSAO Training Tip – Fundamentals

The most direct way to instill the practice of proper communication, which we will call the “C” word, is to inform your student/driver when they incorrectly communicate!

Large commercial vehicles, or vehicles with heavy loads, need to be recognized by other road users when slowing down or making turns. In the case of making a turn, we are actually doing both.

Brand new drivers need to be told when to apply the turn signal when they are making their first few turns. The best guidance you can offer is to tell them to activate the turn signal just as they apply the brakes.

This gives the best results: showing motorists why the brakes are being applied and that the truck is making a turn.

For any experienced driver, this can also be done when working on any corrective action. The ‘best case’ scenario is always to train your drivers to do all of the basics correctly.

If your student/driver applies the turn signals before activating the brakes, this communicates as a lane change maneuver rather than a turn. In this case, a following motorist may not brake when they only see a turn signal. This may result in higher risks of being hit from behind, and no insurer wants to see that happen.

For a simple lane change, using the turn indicators will be enough communication to tell other road users the intent for movement.

Normally there will be no need to use any braking, unless in traffic. On the highway, use of brake lights coupled with a turn signal for a lane change will confuse following drivers. Keep it simple, keep it basic is a value to driving commercially.

Our new catchphrase, “training, training, training,” borrows heavily from the real estate: “location, location, location.”