help with engl assgn due in 24 hours

2

Student Sample

Professor Jones

English 101-107

15 February 2022

Safe Trucking

In “The Long Haul” by Finn Murphy we follow a trucker as he makes his through a tough mountain pass. The treacherous trail has many possible ways in which his life could be put in danger, but he carries on. Murphy understands that to make it to his destination he must use all his knowledge as a trucker. One wrong decision could be the end of his career as a trucker or his life. A trucker must do three things in order to maintain safety on the road read and follow all signs, maintain equipment, and remain vigilant.

The first suggestion Murphy makes is to read and follow all the signs. Though they are a major part of driving they are often overlooked. For a trucker the signs can keep them and others safe while on the road. Many truckers disregard them because time is money, but Murphy knows the dangers of going too fast. Murphy says, “They’re all doing 50 and sound their air horns as they pass, no doubt flipping me the bird” (327). He pays no mind to them because he knows that safety is a priority and following the speed limit can keep him and others alive.

Murphy’s second suggestion is to keep vehicle and equipment maintained and in working order. For most driver’s vehicle maintenance is the last thing on their to do list but for truckers maintaining their truck can make a huge difference in keeping them on the road. As he makes his way to his destination, he must pay attention to all the bells and whistles in order to keep from losing control of his truck. Murphy continues to “Fondle the break, watch the mirrors, feel the machine, check the tach, listen to the Jake, and watch the air pressure” (326). Without maintain his truck the breaks could lock up or quit working and cause him to be late to his destination or worse cause an accident.

Finally, Murphy’s biggest suggestion is to stay vigilant while on the road. He knows that he must be always aware of all his surroundings. To get his valuable load to its destination Murphy must remain aware of all the things around him, the other drivers, the road conditions, and his own ability to stay focused. He thinks of all the possibilities and is even worried about other drivers being distracted. Murphy is reminded how often things can go wrong when drivers are not paying attention: “I’ve seen too many trucks mashed on the side of the road, too many accidents, and too many space-out drivers” (Murphy 328). He knows, after years of driving big trucks, that it is often the little things that can cause major accidents.

Driving a big truck is a tremendous amount of work and some might argue that truckers bear the biggest responsibility while sharing the road with other drivers. Murphy, in his years of experience has learned how to be a safe truck driver, takes his job and the safety of others seriously. He shares how he manages to stay safe while on the road in dangerous conditions. Murphy lays out all the details of his trip and how easy it is to become the victim of an accident. He works hard to keep himself and other drivers safe. To avoid the dangers of driving a big truck, truckers must pay attention to all road signs, maintain vehicle equipment, and be vigilant.

Work Cited

Murphy, Finn. “The Long Haul.” Back to the Lake: A Reader and Guide, edited by Thomas Cooley, 4th ed., W.W. Norton, 2020, pp. 325-28