Take a Moment to Stop and Look Around First

G.O.A.L. Get out and look.

Most everyone understands that high rates of speed are often a contributing factor in accidents. However, low-speed maneuvers including backing into a space or to a loading dock can result in accidents if care is not taken to identify potential hazards and take steps or precautions to avoid them. I dare say that every truck driver has been taught this acronym and how it can help keep both the truck driver and others safe. It encourages the truck driver to get out and survey the scene to identify any possible obstacles or hazards.

It is similar to the carpentry advice to “Measure twice and cut once.” Both pieces of advice are reminders that haste and inattentiveness can be costly. Better to take a moment and be certain than to make a costly, damaging, and possibly injurious or fatal mistake.

Obviously, we might benefit from this kind of cautious approach outside of driving a tractor-trailer. Granted, inexperience may make it less likely that we will recognize some hazards, but we are going to be less likely to miss obvious hazards if we take our time and look for potential hazards before acting. So don’t hesitate to “Get out and look.”