One of the most effective habits for preventing crashes is looking further ahead down the road. According to FMCSA guidance, ideally CMV drivers should be able to see 12–15 seconds ahead, which is about ¼ mile on highways or one to two city blocks.
Why It Matters
Looking ahead gives drivers more time to adjust speed, anticipate hazards, and make safe lane changes. NHTSA research shows that early hazard detection significantly reduces crash risk by increasing reaction time.
Common Scanning Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The Bottom Line
Scanning isn’t complicated, but it’s powerful. Keeping your eyes moving, checking mirrors, and looking far ahead builds safer habits and helps prevent avoidable accidents.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.
The 2026 road construction season is going to be one of the largest in U.S. history and anyone using the roads should be prepared for what’s coming.