The suspension system performs the vital functions of holding up the vehicle and its load while keeping the axles in place. Defects in the suspension are therefore extremely dangerous.

You should shift your vehicle's transmission into a low gear before staring a downhill grade. Be prepared for gravity to increase your vehicle's speed when traveling downhill.

When doing a pre-trip inspection during the winter, you should pay extra attention to the coolant level and amount of antifreeze; the defrosting and heating equipment; the wiper blades and windshield washer; the tires and tire chains; the lights and reflectors; the windows and mirrors; the hand holds, steps, and deck plates; the radiator shuttles and winterfront; and exhaust system.

To reduce the risk of distraction, bus drivers should not engage in conversation with passengers. Avoid fueling a bus while passengers are on board. Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard the vehicle, unless it would be unsafe for the passengers to exit the bus at the location where it has stalled.

Bridges tend to freeze before other parts of the roadway. Be particularly careful on bridges when temperatures are close to the freezing point.

If you are being tailgated, you should increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. This will reduce your need to make sudden moves, and will also allow the tailgater more room to pass you. Speeding up when being tailgated is not advised because it may result in the tailgater continuing to follow you closely at the higher speed, only increasing the danger.

Gravity causes a vehicle's speed to increase when traveling on a downgrade. Adjust your speed before reaching a downgrade.

Reduce your speed when traveling on surfaces that provide reduced traction. Reduce your speed by one-half or more when traveling on packed snow.

Without a working Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), your vehicle will still have normal brake function. Continue to drive and brake as you normally would and have your ABS serviced as soon as possible.

Before backing up, you should get out of your vehicle and look at your line of travel. Check your clearance to the sides and overhead.

While driving, you should watch your vehicle's gauges for signs of trouble. Be sure to inspect your gauges before beginning a trip to ensure that they are in proper working order.

Looking at your mirrors for too long is dangerous because you may travel a substantial distance without knowing what is going on ahead of you. It is important to be aware of your surroundings in all directions.

Most cases of hydraulic brake failure come from one of two causes. The brakes may fail due to a loss of hydraulic pressure or due to overuse on long hills, causing the brakes to fade.

When inspecting the interior of a bus, you must make sure everything is safe and in proper working condition. Take the time to ensure that each handhold and railing is securely in place and safe to be used.

During a pre-trip inspection, you should check for emergency equipment, including spare electrical fuses; three red reflective triangles, six fuses, or three liquid burning flares; and at least one properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.

Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage, so be sure to accelerate smoothly and gradually.

Posted speed limits on exit and entrance ramps often show speeds that are safe to be driven by cars. However, these speed limits may be too fast for large or heavily-loaded vehicles and CMV drivers will likely need to slow down to a speed below the posted limit.

If a passenger is drunk and disruptive, you are still responsible for their safety. They should be discharged in a safe location, which may be the next scheduled stop or another well-lit area where other people are present.

During a trip, you should regularly check the gauge and instrument panels, mirrors, tires, cargo, and lights for signs of trouble.

Strong winds can make it difficult to keep a vehicle in its proper lane. Strong wind can be a particular problem when a vehicle is being driven out of a tunnel.