Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on U.S. highways and interstate highways. A person in the shorter unit is likely to pass by a truck or two transporting goods, and even merchandise that travels by ship, train or airplane travels on a truck for some phase of the journey to the customer. Because trucks are such an important part of industry, truck driving jobs are important positions and good paying jobs. Truck drivers have many responsibilities.
Before leaving the terminal or warehouse, truck drivers that routine checks of their vehicles, checking fuel and oil levels. Inspect tires, brakes and wipers, and make sure that all safety equipment is loaded and functional. To report any problems to the operator, which keeps track of all these little details. Once you start driving, truck drivers must be constantly alert. You can see very long distance along of the road, because they feel superior to other vehicles. This puts them in a position of power on the road, as well as greater responsibility. Delivery requirements vary with the type of merchandise, the driving task, and the final destination. Local drivers provide daily service along a specific route, while other drivers must make intercity and interstate deliveries based on specific orders.
The driver's responsibilities and salary change based on time spent on the road, the type of cargo and vehicle size. New technologies are revolutionizing the way truck drivers work. Drivers of long-distance truck now have satellites and global positioning systems (GPS) to link with the headquarters of the company.
