Professional Drivers
Drove over to Florida a few nights ago for dinner and lottery tickets. Big rigs and four wheelers shared the freeway and what a difference in style. I would much rather share a highway will all truckers than autos.
They (the truckers) signal intentions, observe and respond to road conditions, are courteous to vehicles entering the flow of traffic, and keep right except to pass.
In contrast, automobile drivers apply brakes for no obvious reason, speed up to cut off others, routinely hold up traffic in the left lane, hardly EVER signal, and generally asshats.
Here's an attaboy to truckers!
They (the truckers) signal intentions, observe and respond to road conditions, are courteous to vehicles entering the flow of traffic, and keep right except to pass.
In contrast, automobile drivers apply brakes for no obvious reason, speed up to cut off others, routinely hold up traffic in the left lane, hardly EVER signal, and generally asshats.
Here's an attaboy to truckers!
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I would have agreed up until about 4 years ago when I started driving I30 and I40 in AR frequently. For some reason there is a large number (certainly not all) of truck drivers who drive very badly and discourteously on these highways. They drive way too fast even when the weather is bad with wet roads and poor visibility and make many careless and reckless maneuvers. I40 was under construction for a long while and I routinely saw trucks going through the 50 mph zone at 70+, weaving from lane to lane cutting off cars.
They tail-gate and aggressive "push" cars that they feel aren't going fast enough (even when the cars are going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit) and they change lanes without making sure the lane is clear. I have actually been forced off the road onto the shoulder twice in the past year by truckers who didn't look before changing lanes. I have also been cut-off by truckers changing lanes in front of me as I overtook them, causing me hit the brakes and slow down behind them. If they aren't going too fast then they are side by side, blocking both lanes as they drive too slow, keeping traffic backed up behind them.
It's not all truckers, but for some reason I see a lot of bad truck driving through AR and they mostly aren't AR drivers doing it. They usually seem to have out of state plates. I think I see a lot of Texas plates on the trucks being driven badly but that might just be my imagination.
I realize the drivers are often paid by the mile so slowing down equals a pay cut. I understand they have deadlines and work under stress. But some of them are almost out of control with their reckless and aggressive driving. Again, not all truckers drive badly, not even most, but too many.
BTW- Don't think I am just a truck driver hater. I spent 14 years driving an 18 wheeler and I always found professional truckers to be excellent and courteous drivers until recently. Maybe it's just those particular roads that bring out the worst in people?0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
I would have agreed up until about 4 years ago when I started driving I30 and I40 in AR frequently. For some reason there is a large number (certainly not all) of truck drivers who drive very badly and discourteously on these highways. They drive way too fast even when the weather is bad with wet roads and poor visibility and make many careless and reckless maneuvers. I40 was under construction for a long while and I routinely saw trucks going through the 50 mph zone at 70+, weaving from lane to lane cutting off cars.
They tail-gate and aggressive "push" cars that they feel aren't going fast enough (even when the cars are going 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit) and they change lanes without making sure the lane is clear. I have actually been forced off the road onto the shoulder twice in the past year by truckers who didn't look before changing lanes. I have also been cut-off by truckers changing lanes in front of me as I overtook them, causing me hit the brakes and slow down behind them. If they aren't going too fast then they are side by side, blocking both lanes as they drive too slow, keeping traffic backed up behind them.
It's not all truckers, but for some reason I see a lot of bad truck driving through AR and they mostly aren't AR drivers doing it. They usually seem to have out of state plates. I think I see a lot of Texas plates on the trucks being driven badly but that might just be my imagination.
I realize the drivers are often paid by the mile so slowing down equals a pay cut. I understand they have deadlines and work under stress. But some of them are almost out of control with their reckless and aggressive driving. Again, not all truckers drive badly, not even most, but too many.
BTW- Don't think I am just a truck driver hater. I spent 14 years driving an 18 wheeler and I always found professional truckers to be excellent and courteous drivers until recently. Maybe it's just those particular roads that bring out the worst in people?
You ain't seen nothin yet.
Wait till all mexican trucks all allowed free use of our highway system.0 -
when the mexicans come there will be mass carnage.[:(!] 0 -
I tend to agree with you Saxon, even though I AM a truck driver today. I own a small trucking company and end up driving more than managing but that's because "you can't get good help anymore"......
The problem is really two fold. Yes, the typical truck driver of today is NOT a courteous as yesterday but they've been burned so many times by mindless 4 wheeler drivers, they've gotten bitter. I'm not justifying, just reporting the facts.
Personally, I don't know if there is anything that frustrates me more (than conservatives not voting) than for someone who believes just because they are driving at or near the speed limit, they can drive in the left most lane as long as they like..... something like, "I pay taxes on this lane, I can drive here as much as I want...." When the really simply truth is too easy to believe. If EVERYONE would move to the right even for a few seconds and let a faster driver go by, they would breathe easier, the faster driver would and everyone would live happily ever after......
Now, I know there are always exceptions to the rule but I assure you most truck drivers are willing to do anything to avoid a run in with an auto driver but they are way sick of cars, RVs and other drivers that just don't care enough to use a mirror and think about the guy behind them.
I don't care if I'm driving 100 mph in a 70 mph zone, if someone comes up behind me, I know it, I anticipate it and I move to the right asap. Most of the time, I can then return to the left and proceed at my higher clip.
Lastly, I truly believe that until they make it a fine equal to are greater than seat belt laws to be using a cell phone without a hands free device, they're not going to reduce traffic accidents. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've had a car, truck or bus pass me like I'm on blocks and then 5 miles down the road I pass them like they've blown an engine in NASCAR and EVERY SINGLE TIME, it's because they are talking on a cell phone and waving their hands all engaged with someone on the other end. I also use a cell phone but I do two things, I make sure I'm using hands free headset and I also keep my vehicle on cruise control to maintain my speed, if I'm in a remote freeway environment.
Road rage is always inexcusable but I certainly understand where it comes from and I truly believe that 99% of it is preventable if the person who wants to drive slower would just get out of the way and not be an unnecessary roadblock.
The big rigs are held accountable a variety of ways with safety records, tickets, inspections, etc. and any trouble they have on their record affects the cost of the insurance, which is already astronomical in every state, so they don't want trouble, they just want to run and make schedules and commitments. If you're being tail gated, get over a few seconds and let him/her go and then you'll both be happy........0 -
No argument from me that there are more bad drivers in cars than in trucks. But when the vehicle being driven badly is 8 feet wide, 65 feet long and weighs 40 tons it seems to intensify the situation when they cut you off or swerve into your lane.
I recall the idiots in cars who would vent their anger by cutting in front of me and slamming on their brakes. Or giving me the finger as they drove by because I caused them a 10 second delay.
And let's not forget the goofs on the crotch-rocket bikes splitting lanes at 100 mph. I almost jump out my shorts when one of these kamakazies comes screaming past.0 -
i drove for about 4yrs and the place that had the friendliest 4wheelers was MN. they gave the trucks the right of way. 0 -
I've seen good and bad drivers of each, 4 ands 18 wheelers and everthing
in between. But, by and large, truck drivers are courtious and
professonal.
I know one (ex) truckdriver though that used to tout that the hiways
were made for trucks, and 4 wheelers had no business on them.
Although he has been certified mentally incompetent.[;)]0 -
Yes there even curtious to autos that cut them off tailgate ect.
If I was a trucker I'm not sure I would like all car drivers.
Heck I'm not and don't like all car drivers. LOL0 -
I'm a driver. 6 yrs OTR and 4 semi local. And I'd to add that alot of the problem is that the 4 wheelers just don't understand the truck's.
Case in point #1.
For cheaper insurance reasons, most large company trucks are governed. The speeds the are governed at varies from company to company. But 65MPH, 68MPH, and 70MPH are the most common. So on most interstate highways, the trucker going full speed still cannot run the speed limit.
So ow a guy doing 70MPH come up on another truck doing 68. He's going faster, by NOT MUCH. And he will want to pass. He can't speed up any more like cars can to get by quickly. He has no choice but to creep by.
And if there are any hills while he is doing so, the difference in weight of the loads can make it even more agonizing.
You'ree passing a slower truck w/a lighter load. You're almost around him, them comes a hill. Your heavier load bogs you down to the slower trucks speed.
If you think driver LIKE these situations, please be assured they do not.
2nd: You're in a unfamiliar city following usually vague directions to a customer. 4 lane road (2 each direction) in early morning rush hour traffic.
Your directions say " Take Pine street east to Johnson Ave. Turn left.
You have no idea how far Johnson Ave. is. What you do know is that if you get in the right lane, the odds are 99.9% that when you see Johnson Ave., the 4 wheeler local WILL NOT let you over to turn there. Causing you to have to drive often many miles before you can find somewhere to safely turn around. This is why you will often see truckers in the left lane in city traffic.
I could site many other similiar situations. But as lindalecowboy said, a trucker livelyhood is tied DIRECTLY to his safety record. Even minor traffic tickets can make a huge difference in how good a job he can get. Most drivers are EXTREMELY concious of this. And remember also that WE ALSO DRIVE 4 WHEELERS. We know what things are like for you. But you don't know what we're dealing with. And I believe much the problem is simply people not understanding what the trucker is doing and why. Most times he is not purposely trying to inconvieniece you. He's just trying to do his job.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spryor
I've seen good and bad drivers of each, 4 ands 18 wheelers and everthing
in between. But, by and large, truck drivers are courtious and
professonal.
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I have driven over 1,000,000 acciden and ticket free miles. Paying attention to driving is the key to successful driving! 0
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