Drivers for Vehicle Delivery Companies Negotiate Tight Roadways

Residential areas are not recommended routes for tractor-trailers with a full load. The narrow streets can quickly turn into a labyrinth with no discernable exit in sight. Such was the case for a driver in Santa Fe, New Mexico recently when a driver attempted to negotiate a turn in a historic area of the city and got stuck.

The driver, Omar Haem, has been a driver for several years and told police that he had never been in a predicament such as the one he found himself in recently. His truck and trailer measured about 100 feet long and the bumper of the truck rested inches away from a residential wall while the remainder of his trailer completely blocked the road. Motorists were re-routed for about three hours as crews worked to Mr. Haem out of his jam. The process involved two tow trucks using cables to reposition the truck so that Mr. Haem could pull out into a straight alignment and then back out onto a wider street.

With residents watching the action, it’s not exactly an ideal day for drivers of vehicle delivery companies and can be somewhat embarrassing. Mr. Haem apparently took it in stride and was able to at least crack a smile, according to eyewitness accounts from the scene. Worse than the embarrassment is the time delay in getting the load of automobiles to their destination in Denver, Colorado. And worse than the delay was the approximate $1,000 tow bill the trucking company had to fork over, and the possible civil penalties the city court judge will impose on Mr. Haem.

Truck drivers for vehicle delivery companies face many hazards, especially this time of year as massive snowstorms make their way through the Midwest and the Eastern U.S. Most drivers pick up valuable driving skills in specialized schools. Driving a big rig with 10-plus gears is no easy task. Cornering, maneuvering and backing up the truck are skills that take time to master, and most drivers don’t find themselves in historic districts of residential areas where these skills are put to the ultimate test.

Some rigs weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and add the 100-foot span to the overall length, the skills required to back up a rig and maneuver tight roadways can take 50 to 60 hours of training. The process requires patience, practice and a good instructor who can provide the tips that keep drivers and those around them safe.