The most important thing when you get behind the wheel:

Do not get in a hurry, and drive safely. Remember to allow a safe stopping distance and above all, if a deer appears in front of you DO NOT SWERVE!!!
It would be better to hit it than kill yourself.

Remember what you were taught aabout D.O.T. hours of service. It is better to arrive late and safely that have an accident or receive a ticket from the D.O.T for being stupid.

That's good advice - if it has four legs it's better to hit it than risk your life to save it. Also, a good reminder for us old folks who've been out here awhile! Getting in a hurry can cause even the best truckers to wreck it! And if you need sleep-take a 20 minute nap than head back out. You'de be amazed at how much it helps!

Just because other drivers on snow and ice drive fast - Don't follow thier lead. Do what feels safe to your own ability. You drive your truck and if thats slow then be it.Don't let any one pressure you.

As it was explained to me in trucking school back in 1991; When a truckdriver runs off the road and crashes the police and public automatically assume the driver was "tired" and fell asleep at the wheel. It is far better to "take a piece out of that deer" and replace a fender or bumper than run off the road, possibly flip the rig and kill yourself.

If you have to go off the road for any reason, take it off the road, and keep it on its wheels.

Don't try to pull it back when you hit the shoulder. Slow down, and re-enter the road at a slow speed, UNDER CONTROL.

any advice on hours of service?

Don't out drive your eyes in Fog, just because the other dummies out drive their sight in fog doesn't mean they are safe or better drivers. I've seen very bad accidents in fog because drivers have out driven their eyes.

lilrobby;

The only advice I have about the HOS is:

1) Follow the rules.
2) Use the book to your advantage.
3) When you are tired, get some rest.
4) Follow the rules.

I have no problem doing that but will the company?

I often MPH drive. I figure out my miles and divide them by a reasonable speed, but never more then 64 MPH and log what it would have been without the long back up on the freeway. In other words, I do anywhere between 600-710 a day when running hard.
DOT says that an average speed coast to coast is 65 MPH. If you exceed that speed make sure that you are in states with a speed limit of more then 65, your truck does more then 65 and note it on the bottom.
"70MPH speed limit, light traffic and scales were closed" DOT will accept this but make sure your company accepts this also.