[mtlakejim]

Good information from a man who knows his stuff! You can always tell the top notch drivers out there!
I did a lot of short haul early in my career in the oilfield. For certain pre trip checks have saved a lot of lives and roadside misery!
You didn't mention any actual driving tips but one thing I will suggest is learn to drive like a good truck driver (a good one not the hot rodders). Don't weave in and out of traffic with a big load, keep your distance in front of you and learn to drive with the flow of the traffic (that sometimes means driving a little faster than you might like if your not experienced). It's the idiots that drive too fast or too slow, constantly lane change or didn't take care of their rig/load that usually cause the accidents!!! Be like Charlie!