Are you stupid? dont cut me off I am pulling something heavy

[JasonCzerak]

Why are truck drivers more "important" then any other driver? I surly don't need my time or fuel wasted... Why is it ok for that truck to cut me off on a 2 lane road and take 10 miles to pass that other truck at 1/8mph faster. ?

 

[cojhl2]

I'm surprised everyone is giving the truckers a pass on this one. The two times I have come closest to an accident was when jackass truckers cut me off while pulling my 5er. They are not all the perfect drivers you are making them out to be.

Yes thats quite true but in general a trucker with experience is much more polite than those that drive smaller rigs.

Sometimes I wish that every truck in America would sit for a day and make NO deliveries. No gas, no groceries, no HDTV's, iPods, latte mochas or whatever the heck they are called, or any of these other things Americans seem to need these days. Maybe that will get them thinkin'.

One time when I was in my pickup I stopped and waited for a big truck who already had claimed the real estate negotiate out of a very rough driveway onto the road I was on. As he was coming out a minivan on the other side honked the horn. Guess what,,, the big truck came to a full stop for a considerable time whilst the driver looked down at me grinning to beat the dickens. . He and I had a good chuckle until he slowly started to move again.



Wonder what the guy the the minivan thought he could gain with that horn anyway??

 

[RLPrice]

Yes, I can't tell you how many times I've been "cut off" when I'm hauling a stock trailer full of horses/mules. Some see me coming and just pull out! Those animals slam into each other and into the front of the trailer. Perhaps more infuriating are the one's who pass you, then go slower than you were originally traveling when they passed!! Don't get me wrong, I don't like to follow a big trailer either, but if you're going to pass, then at least go a little faster! The advantage of owning a Diesel Truck is that you are typically not holding up traffic, even when pulling a big fifth wheel travel trailer or a horse trailer full of animals! That's why most of us own them, so we can travel at or near the speed limit, no matter what the terrain. Unfortunately, most people don't know or understand this!

 

[cojhl2]

Why are truck drivers more "important" then any other driver? I surly don't need my time or fuel wasted... Why is it ok for that truck to cut me off on a 2 lane road and take 10 miles to pass that other truck at 1/8mph faster. ?

I don't think it is OK and did not intend to leave that impression. Truck drivers should abide by courteous rules also.



What I do say however, is that truck drivers in general are more cognizant of courteous actions than the general driving public.



My observances anyway.

 

[AMink]

I hate it when you're dragging up a grade and someone passes you, then slows. You loose your head of steam. I think that everyone should have to drive with a trailer to see what it's like. I think everyone should have to ride a motorcycle too. That made me a better driver, paying more attention to everything around me.

 

[RLPrice]

Amen, People just don't understand that when you're pulling that grade, losing momentum isn't good, and it's just plain rude and disrespectful to pull ahead and then slow down. I drove a bike for years, and yes, it makes one much more aware and hence a better driver!

 

[CPittman]

The 'cut-off' is a real problem, as is the soccer mom / teenage kid / general nose-dig driver. They just can't stand to be behind the big pickup - so they shoot gaps to get in front and then either slow down or jump on the brakes to make a turn. Mainly it seems that when they see a truck, they just can't imagine it running regular speed so they 'have' to get in front of you.



I just love it when we happen to end up side-by-side at the front of the next traffic light... just stop 1/2 a car length back, work a little boost up against the brake and smartly dust them when the light turns. Fun and giggles for this old man. Nothing I like better than smoking some snot-nose, ricer-drivin', joovie. The soccer moms are no fun - they're yammin' on their cell phones and they'll just cut you off AGAIN! Friggin' clueless.

 

[Mel Swanson]

Please be safe.

I am bad about being in a hurry but when I see an 18 wheeler I always try to give them a hand just as they would do the same for me. part of drivers ed should include a ride in an big rig in traffic so people can understand the feeling of not being able to get over or being cutoff with an 80K load. The videos they show these kids in the classes suck and don't do them any good they just tune it out just trying to pass the time just so they can get their license. They need a real life wake up call. [/QUOTE]



Thank you Mr. DerekW. We appreciate that.

Years ago there was a Police Dept. in California that had a program in partners with trucking companies which put cops in the cab of big rigs.

 

[BGott]

The latest fad down here in Houston is for the ditzoids to text message their friends while driving around. I'm fixin' to get me some train horns!

 

[DerekW]

My roomate even installed some lights on the back which happen to work really well on tailgaters as well even though that is not their intended purpose.

I have a jeep and I had one napa tractor spotlight on the back mounted on the bumper angled kinda down with 16 guage wiring (very dim, high resistance) and some lady was tailgating me. I gave her the brake lights with no response from her, so I turned it on the off she got back. then at the stop sign she pulled up next to me and *****ed at me and I *****ed backed, she took my tag number and never heard from her or any cops. because of that situation I put 5 more ton the back of my jeep on a custom bracket and around the 3rd brake light works great and the lights swing with the spare tire carrier if I need light in a certain place. I wish I could find that lady and give her the 6 spotlight on 8 gauge wiring now cuz these are bright as crap and hurt peoples eyes in the day time.

 

[DerekW]

To those with the cell phone topics in this post:



What I do in my 2004. 5 quad cab Long bed DRW Straight pipe Dodge is get up along side of them then take the wheel and swerve near them really quick. it actually works to wake them up from the cell phone call and realize they are behind the wheel. But my favorite is at 3:02PM-3:10PM on the major road in front of the high school. teenagers just got there license tearing up ****, reckless driving, spinning tires, hotroding their cold engines, yaking on the cell phones, and my very favorite: seat laid way back knees on the steering wheel staring at the phone 2 hands texting. I am sorry but I think texting is a little rediculous when you can call them and say it in 30 seconds instead typing it too them. then hang up and get your attention back on the road. I personally will find a gas station or something if I have to text someone, pullover text them and get back on the road.





TO THOSE POSTING ABOUT SOCCER MOMS:

plain and simple they are just as bad as the teens in their own ways. They have those kids in the back making a mess with their mcdonalds and doing all sorts of other stuff. The parents need to realize that they need to teach their kids that they are driving and can't do anything to help them cuz they parents need to pay attention to the road. The parents need to teach their kids what "DO I NEED TO PULLOVER?" means cuz they will learn quick that riding in the car is no a playhouse at mcdonalds or the playground/park. Drivers don't need a distraction a car can be lethal if not used carefully SO HANG UP, CLOSE THE BOOK, DO YOUR MAKE UP AT HOME, TELL YOUR KIDS TO PLAY DEAD, TURN THE RADIO DOWN AND LISTEN TO YOUR TRUCK, CHECK YOUR MIRRORS AND PAY ATTENTION CUZ YOU ARE PUTTING LIVES AT RISK AND ******* OTHERS OFF WHEN YOUR NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROAD.

 

[DerekW]

Oh and maybe I should let you guys and gurls out there know I don't have a license because I got too many tickets driving by what I hear from the truck and being so focused on whats outside of the windshield and the mirrors. I got too many tickets for speeding like 10 over in most cases. I simply was too focused on driving that I simply wasn't paying attention to my speedometer. I just went what felt reasonably right and I would get a wake up call to check my gauges when I saw the cop along ways down the road and by the time I would check my guages too late.



Now that I have to drive on a suspended license I will admit I am more focused on the gauges and alot less on what is outside of the windshield. Maybe if the judges could understand that and look and see no accidents on my driving record they might be a little smarter. My driving record is bad from the tickets but to be honest with you most people don't do 80K a year mostly city mileage.

 

[cojhl2]

Oh and maybe I should let you guys and gurls out there know I don't have a license because I got too many tickets driving by what I hear from the truck and being so focused on whats outside of the windshield and the mirrors. I got too many tickets for speeding like 10 over in most cases. I simply was too focused on driving that I simply wasn't paying attention to my speedometer. I just went what felt reasonably right and I would get a wake up call to check my gauges when I saw the cop along ways down the road and by the time I would check my guages too late.



Now that I have to drive on a suspended license I will admit I am more focused on the gauges and alot less on what is outside of the windshield. Maybe if the judges could understand that and look and see no accidents on my driving record they might be a little smarter. My driving record is bad from the tickets but to be honest with you most people don't do 80K a year mostly city mileage.

When I first moved to Western WA from Eastern WA I received a rash of speeding tickets within the first few years.



I was relegated to "an undesireable individual" status.



On the verge of losing my license I took heed an watched my speed. I have only had a couple of tickets the past 30 years.



Tellya what Derek, take it from an ole fart,, ya gotta follow the speed limit no matter if you think you are safe going faster. Most likely the next guy isn't

 

[JasonCzerak]

When I first moved to Western WA from Eastern WA I received a rash of speeding tickets within the first few years.



I was relegated to "an undesireable individual" status.



On the verge of losing my license I took heed an watched my speed. I have only had a couple of tickets the past 30 years.



Tellya what Derek, take it from an ole fart,, ya gotta follow the speed limit no matter if you think you are safe going faster. Most likely the next guy isn't

Sure, Just as soon as they raise the minimum speed to 54mph when the max is 55. or min of 74 with a max of 75.

 

[Todd T]

Trying to change lanes what gets me riled. You are with traffic, blinker on and someone behind you travleing faster than traffic is just too important to let you in.



These little rigs don't realize how dangerous it is with a big truck trying to change lanes and they won't give you a break.



I learned as a kid to give trucks a break. I started driving with 185hp engines and 76k loads. When you got slowed down (no freeways either) it took all the rest of the day to get a fire built again.



Darn inconsiderate people.

Pardon me, but there is no law stating we have to reduce our speed by 15MPH just because YOU want to spend the next 6 miles to pass another under powered large truck doing 1MPH less than you.



When the lane you want is clear, put on you blinker and procede to safely make your lane change. Until then get out of the throttle and wait!!!



Courtesy is a two way street. I dont enjoy the brake checks I'm EXPECTED to endure when a big rig takes the lane in front of me when I'm traveling (legally) 15MPH faster and only 30' from his back bumper and then spends the next 6 miles blocking traffic to pass one truck/car.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Pardon me, but there is no law stating we have to reduce our speed by 15MPH just because YOU want to spend the next 6 miles to pass another under powered large truck doing 1MPH less than you.



When the lane you want is clear, put on you blinker and procede to safely make your lane change. Until then get out of the throttle and wait!!!



Courtesy is a two way street. I dont enjoy the brake checks I'm EXPECTED to endure when a big rig takes the lane in front of me when I'm traveling (legally) 15MPH faster and only 30' from his back bumper and then spends the next 6 miles blocking traffic to pass one truck/car.

RIGHT ON!



I have been known to call the state patrol and report TRUCKERS THAT ARE NOT OBEYING THE SLOWER TRAFFIC MOVE TO THE RIGHT signs. (and cars too).



Has any gotten pulled over? most likely not.



What I like to do in this case when I finally get around the retard is get in the right lane and slow down





As a note: I have driven these big trucks (53' box, sleeper tractors) around many of parking lot a few years back when I did the car shows. And I have been for many a road trip in one of these. the respect is there. . But. . some times... . ya just wann SMACK these truckers with a wet noodle.

 

[JApol]

A couple of years ago I was headed south on I-95 from Maryland to Florida. Shortly after getting in the freeway I found a tractor trailer doing about 80. I got behind him and made sure he knew I was back there and he acknowledged me with his clearance lights. I tucked in about 20 feet off his bumper to draft him. When I saw him start to slow down I would move into the left lane to block traffic and let him pass the slow moving vehicle and we would be off again. I made it all the way to Jacksonville, FL on one tank of gas with a 02 2500 v-8



Back in 99 while I was going through South Dakota I got caught in a convoy. That was the scariest encounter with 18-wheelers. I got caught behind a truck. There was a truck in the left lane wanting to pass and another one coming up behind me. At one point I was about 10 feet off the trailer in front of me. There couldn't have been 10 feet from bumper to bumper to the truck behind me with another tractor trailer beside me, all doing 80 MPH

The really weird thing as that there as no wind noise.

 

[cojhl2]

Pardon me, but there is no law stating we have to reduce our speed by 15MPH just because YOU want to spend the next 6 miles to pass another under powered large truck doing 1MPH less than you.



When the lane you want is clear, put on you blinker and procede to safely make your lane change. Until then get out of the throttle and wait!!!



Courtesy is a two way street. I dont enjoy the brake checks I'm EXPECTED to endure when a big rig takes the lane in front of me when I'm traveling (legally) 15MPH faster and only 30' from his back bumper and then spends the next 6 miles blocking traffic to pass one truck/car.

Taking it to the extreme of course is not courteous by either one.

 

[cojhl2]

A couple of years ago I was headed south on I-95 from Maryland to Florida. Shortly after getting in the freeway I found a tractor trailer doing about 80. I got behind him and made sure he knew I was back there and he acknowledged me with his clearance lights. I tucked in about 20 feet off his bumper to draft him. When I saw him start to slow down I would move into the left lane to block traffic and let him pass the slow moving vehicle and we would be off again. I made it all the way to Jacksonville, FL on one tank of gas with a 02 2500 v-8



Back in 99 while I was going through South Dakota I got caught in a convoy. That was the scariest encounter with 18-wheelers. I got caught behind a truck. There was a truck in the left lane wanting to pass and another one coming up behind me. At one point I was about 10 feet off the trailer in front of me. There couldn't have been 10 feet from bumper to bumper to the truck behind me with another tractor trailer beside me, all doing 80 MPH

The really weird thing as that there as no wind noise.

It's nice tht you were helping the big truck and return getting some draft. .



However... JApol this is very dangerous. If a cap blows that alligator that gets thrown off is almost a big as your car or pickup. Also it could come thru the windshield.



Personally I always leave the trucks have their way. But if I am coming up behind one and there is a definite speed differnece between the truck in front of the one i'm behind (dizzy now!) I do like you,, I pull to the right, split the lane so he/she knows I am not passing and let him/her go.

 

[cojhl2]

There is no question about it,, Courtesy is a 2way street.



Truckers are not perfect either,, just for the most part more aware of the dangers on the road and more affected by others than they by them.