Semi Safety | Video

Chris Williams | 7/13/2012

Semi drivers can be behind the wheel for 11 hours before taking a mandatory break. But they are encouraged to pull over and rest, even if they feel the slightest bit of fatigue.

"Even a 20 minute cat nap has proven that it refreshes your body tremendously, so that`s what we try and do is keep them within their parameters. They know their bodies better than I do,” said Dave Brown, Operations Manager of Petroleum Services.

Petroleum Services takes extra precautions to make sure their drivers stay safe on the road.

"One thing that we do a lot of, we have monthly safety meetings with our guys. We talk about some of the latest things that have happened on the road, and basically be aware,” Brown added.

One semi driver says knowing what is happening around you keeps him and everyone else safe.

"Always watch what I`m doing, always be using all my mirrors, I mean all my mirrors. Always pay attention, and always look for a way out of a situation,” said truck driver David D`anna.

It`s no secret taht there are a lot of semis in Williston, and one bad driver can damage the reputations of all of them.

"I just obey the law as much as I can. Reduce your speed when you have a load on, obviously, check your breaking distance and all that,” said driver James Fohl.

Brown says some truckers get paid by the hour, so they may drive faster than they should. He says every semi driver should think about one thing when they are on the road.

"Think about your wife and kids being in that car in front of ya. How would you drive, or how would you like somebody else to drive if your wife and kids were in that car in front if ya?"

Anyone driving a semi is required to pass a three week truck school class and four to eight weeks of driver training.

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