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Why do people cut off semi trucks?

N

nortonrider

Nov 20, 2007
2,717
38
#1
I have experienced this a lot (I drive a big truck) and got to wondering what prompts car drivers to cut off semi trucks?
Out of all of the stupid things I have seen people doing out on the highways, This is one of the most unsafe "practices" that I experience.
Trying to be objective, I came up with some of the possible reasons.

.Because of the size, people don't realize how fast a Big truck is actually moving. (perspective)

. Cars are somehow "getting back" at the truck for making them have to pass. (road rage)

. Drivers just don't understand how dangerous it is being around big trucks (ignorance)

I had it happen multiple times today going down a mountain pass on icy roads. A few had to pretty much jump a slush berm to change lanes in front of me.

Cutting off a Semi Truck is a good way to get yourself ran over, seriously not a good driving practice.
So..... the next time you are driving, just watch how often it happens, and you will be aware of doing it yourself.
 
#2
Largely ignorance in my experience. Either not paying attention to their surroundings or not aware that those trucks can weigh 80,000 lbs. fully laden or more, and don't exactly stop on a dime.

I find people think trucks are an inconvenience on the road and aren't aware of how necessary they are to our economy.

People need to drive big trucks to understand. Same with motorcycles.
 
#3
People probably think the trucks are just too slow and feel stuck behind them.

I personally don't like driving right next to or behind a large truck, but I'll change lanes if I can to keep some distance. If I pull back in front of the same truck (or any vehicle), I give plenty of space and make sure I can see the whole automobile is in my mirror before I go back in the lane.
 
#4
I truly believe that it is self centeredness that causes this. People want to blast down the road and trucks are an impediment to their progress. I work on them and have had to respond to several wrecks. Never any fun.

that said, some drivers like to hang in the "hammer lane" which frustrates the 4 wheeler crowd.

I recently read a stat in CCJ that cars cause over 60% of the wrecks. I think that came from the NHSTA.

to those who drive, thanks for feeding and clothing us.
 
#5
I can confirm what OP is saying. Its' like people are trying to get run over. I finally got to where I drove my Truck in the right lane about 10 MPH slower than traffic.
 
#6
It's because you drive trucks that you notice. I don't see that when I drive my car, all I see is the guy doing 75-80mph in a 80,000 pound big rig. People don't notice the other guy until he screws up. I think the biggest reason is that most people don't realize that a truck is not going to maintain a set speed like they can and they get frustrated. The trucker doesn't help either when he's jumping back and forth between 2 lanes like he's in an Honda.
 
#8
blue4 said:
It's because you drive trucks that you notice. I don't see that when I drive my car, all I see is the guy doing 75-80mph in a 80,000 pound big rig. People don't notice the other guy until he screws up. I think the biggest reason is that most people don't realize that a truck is not going to maintain a set speed like they can and they get frustrated. The trucker doesn't help either when he's jumping back and forth between 2 lanes like he's in an Honda.
Click to expand...

I see it all the time. I supervise all the CDL drivers for the company I work for. All our rigs have cameras in them that are hooked up to sensors that monitor hard braking and violent maneuvers.

Trigger the sensor and I get 10 seconds of video and audio from before the event and 10 seconds after. I then determine if our driver was speeding, following too close, talking on the cell phone, rolling stop signs, falling asleep, etc and if he or she was violating the law or company policies they are subject to disciplinary action. Up to termination.

I do see drivers for other companies who wouldn't last a week driving for us but I see dozens of incidents every week where a car does something idiotic in front of one of our drivers.

It's impatience, self centeredness, ignorance and a general lack of skill in vehicle operation.
 
#11
The IDIOCRACY is here. Most drivers are too stupid to understand that a truck is in any way different from a car and that a car is not a magic carpet. Most drivers simply aim their vehicles down the highway like a weapon and hope forthe best.
 
#15
As stated above in some form or another, people are stupid. Most are in a hurry because they can't wake up early enough to get where they're going and slow moving vehicles are just another obstacle to them. People are so wrapped up in their own lives these days, common curtesy got lost somewhere.
 
#17
Thick McRunfast said:
I see it all the time. I supervise all the CDL drivers for the company I work for. All our rigs have cameras in them that are hooked up to sensors that monitor hard braking and violent maneuvers.

Trigger the sensor and I get 10 seconds of video and audio from before the event and 10 seconds after. I then determine if our driver was speeding, following too close, talking on the cell phone, rolling stop signs, falling asleep, etc and if he or she was violating the law or company policies they are subject to disciplinary action. Up to termination.

I do see drivers for other companies who wouldn't last a week driving for us but I see dozens of incidents every week where a car does something idiotic in front of one of our drivers.

It's impatience, self centeredness, ignorance and a general lack of skill in vehicle operation.
Click to expand...

Ah, good ol' Drivecam. We have them. I used to think that there was some kind of game going on to see how close you could get to my truck when darting into my lane. I've even had instances of douchebags on bikes do it. If there was a crash, it would of course be the evil truck's fault. With Drivecam, I say bring your stupid ass on over. While writing this a commercial for one of those "ambulance chaser" law firms was playing. "Have you been involved in a crash with a big truck?"
 
#20
nortonrider said:
I have experienced this a lot (I drive a big truck) and got to wondering what prompts car drivers to cut off semi trucks?
Out of all of the stupid things I have seen people doing out on the highways, This is one of the most unsafe "practices" that I experience.
Trying to be objective, I came up with some of the possible reasons.

.Because of the size, people don't realize how fast a Big truck is actually moving. (perspective)

. Cars are somehow "getting back" at the truck for making them have to pass. (road rage)

. Drivers just don't understand how dangerous it is being around big trucks (ignorance)

I had it happen multiple times today going down a mountain pass on icy roads. A few had to pretty much jump a slush berm to change lanes in front of me.

Cutting off a Semi Truck is a good way to get yourself ran over, seriously not a good driving practice.
So..... the next time you are driving, just watch how often it happens, and you will be aware of doing it yourself.
Click to expand...

People are idiots. They think vehicles can stop on a dime and are completely ignorant of the fact that the more it weighs and/or the faster it's moving, the farther is takes to stop.

To be fair, some truck drivers drive like complete buttheads but car drivers are easily as bad. Some are just too stupid and seem to be willing to become nothing more than a poop stain on the highway.
 

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