Roadside English: Emergencies and problems questions officers ask truck drivers
The officer asks about crashes, breakdowns, spills, injuries or bad weather. Say what happened, where, and what you did to stay safe.
Practice this out loudHave you been in any accidents this week?
Your answer should include: Yes or no, What happened
Good sample answers:
- No, no accidents.
- Yes, a car hit my trailer on Monday. I have the police report.
What would you do if your brakes failed on a downhill?
Your answer should include: Safe action
Good sample answers:
- I would use the runaway truck ramp.
- Shift to a lower gear, use the engine brake and look for the escape ramp.
Where do you put the triangles if you break down?
Your answer should include: Behind the truck, distances
Good sample answers:
- One at 10 feet, one at 100 feet and one at 200 feet behind the truck.
- Behind the truck, so cars can see me from far away.
Is anyone hurt?
Your answer should include: Yes or no
Good sample answers:
- No, nobody is hurt.
- Yes, the other driver is hurt. Please call an ambulance.
Tell me what happened.
Your answer should include: What happened, in order
Good sample answers:
- I was in the right lane. The car changed lanes and hit my front bumper.
- My tire blew and I pulled over to the shoulder.
Is anything leaking from your truck?
Your answer should include: Yes or no, What is leaking
Good sample answers:
- No, nothing is leaking.
- Yes, a little diesel is leaking from the fuel tank.
Do you have the emergency phone number for the hazmat on board?
Your answer should include: Yes or no, Where it is
Good sample answers:
- Yes, it is on the shipping papers.
- Yes, the number is here on the bill of lading.
Why did you stop on the shoulder?
Your answer should include: The reason
Good sample answers:
- I had a flat tire.
- The engine was overheating, so I stopped to be safe.
Did you call your company about the breakdown?
Your answer should include: Yes or no, What happens next
Good sample answers:
- Yes, I called road service. They will come in one hour.
- Not yet. I will call them now.
The road ahead is closed. Do you understand the detour?
Your answer should include: Yes or no, Repeat the detour or ask
Good sample answers:
- Yes. I take the next exit and follow the orange detour signs.
- Not fully. Can you tell me the exit number again?
Chains are required on the pass. Do you have chains?
Your answer should include: Yes or no
Good sample answers:
- Yes, I have chains for the drive tires.
- No, I will wait here until the road is open.
Do you feel sick or need medical help?
Your answer should include: Yes or no
Good sample answers:
- No, I feel okay.
- Yes, I have chest pain. Please call for help.
What would you do if your load shifted?
Your answer should include: Safe action
Good sample answers:
- I would pull over in a safe place and check the load.
- Stop, put on flashers and call my company.
There is a fire in the trailer. What do you do first?
Your answer should include: Safe action
Good sample answers:
- Pull over away from people, turn off the engine and call 911.
- Stop safely, get out and call 911. Do not open the doors.
What exit or mile marker are you near?
Your answer should include: Mile marker or exit number
Good sample answers:
- I am near mile marker 145.
- I just passed exit 52.
Did you hit anything or anyone?
Your answer should include: Yes or no
Good sample answers:
- No, I did not hit anything.
- Yes, I hit a deer. The bumper is damaged.