Why do people cut off semi trucks?

[Gopherbassist]

People cut off anything: semis, other cars and motorcycles. Just oblivious and rude. I try not to switch lanes until I can see the car I've passed in the middle of my mirror but others are not as nice.

I have noticed one thing that irritates me about semis though and it happens enough that I take note. I cruise about 5 - 10 miles over the speed limit on the interstate so I tend to roll with or slightly faster than other automobile traffic and pass quite a few semis. One thing that irritates me is to catch up to two semis, I'll be the only car in sight behind the trucks but as I get to the point when I'm a truck and trailer length behind the 2nd semi will cut me off and then proceed to tool along at a speed only slightly faster than the semi it is attempting to pass. Am I receiving their angst from being cut off earlier or do they not use their mirrors and see me?

Trucks have to pass whenever they get the chance. They also can't ride bumper to bumper with other vehicles. So when a gap opens that they can fit into to get out from behind a slower truck, they take it. They would pass more quickly, but most trucks have speed governors and truck speeding tickets cost more and have more repercussions than those for regular cars.

 

[nortonrider]

From a Truck Drivers perspective,
I want to let you all know that Truck Drivers don't wan't to be side by side with another truck blocking traffic any more than you want them doing it.

The simple fact is that getting a semi moving down the road is a momentum game. Holding it wide open, doing 2 miles an hour faster than the truck on front, can't lift because if you do then it means downshifting which is probably going to slow things down even further.

Retribution for being slowed up by a truck doing it's best to get down the road is really not a justifiable reason for creating such a dangerous situation.

There are some stupid CDL drivers out there for sure!!!! I have met some truck drivers that were borderline ********.
If for that reason alone, you should always give a bigger vehicle more room.
To keep from getting creamed by one.

Tailgating
Riding Alongside
Cutting Off

The driver of the rig REALLY doesn't want you doing those things,
they would prefer that you were nowhere near them. For Safety's Sake.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

Makes me quite angry when a truck with a "Keep Back 200 Feet! Not responsible for damaged windshields" sticker on it merges a single car-length in front of me, showering my car with gravel.

 

[Musiclogic]

I always laugh at the idiots in cars that expect Trucks to bob and weave in and out of traffic just to suit the driver in the car. The drivers are too stupid to realize that a 70' vehicle weighing 80,000 lbs is not capable of darting about like a 15' , 2500 lb car. People driving cars these days are so stupid, they take nothing into account and just blame trucks for everything.

 

[Phalex]

People pull out in front of big trucks for the same reasons the pull out in front of motorcycles.

 

[FilterFunk]

I'll stay struck in the slowest lane as long as I have to before I'll even think about cutting off a semi.

 

[blastoff99]

There's plenty of bad driving to go around.

I ride a motorcycle, and every time I think I've seen it all, some idiot goes and proves me wrong. Sometimes the idiot is in a big truck, sometimes the idiot is in an SUV, sometimes the idiot is in a small car. (The all-time winner, though, was on a bicycle. Nearly took both of us out. Go figure.)

I give big trucks lots of room, and I wait to pass until I can get around quickly. I will not be beside any longer than I absolutely have to. I also refuse to follow loads of things. Doesn't matter if it's a semi trailer full of scrap steel or the rednecks moving to the other part of the county, I'm not following. I've dodged a lamp and a ladder (both still airborne) in my motorcycling career, and it was scary.

Drive safe, and stay off the %$*! phone!

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I always laugh at the idiots in cars that expect Trucks to bob and weave in and out of traffic just to suit the driver in the car. The drivers are too stupid to realize that a 70' vehicle weighing 80,000 lbs is not capable of darting about like a 15' , 2500 lb car. People driving cars these days are so stupid, they take nothing into account and just blame trucks for everything.

From the perspective of a conscientious driver of a small car, I have to say that the biggest nuisance I deal with on my daily commute are jumped-up rednecks driving pickup trucks. They drive way too fast and hop lanes like they're on fire.

Sadly, most of them are driving company trucks, pulling massive trailers full of gear, and they still drive like they think they're driving racecars. I've learned to give them a wide berth when I see them, but they usually aren't as accommodating.

 

[Buslady7803]

Seriously! The law in my state says to maintain 100 feet behind a school bus. At all times. I stop 80 or so feet back, and guess what? The cars behind me pull around to get in front of me! And guess what else! These are the moms that just put their kids on the bus!

By far - the most aggressive drivers in my neighborhood are the mothers of young children. I mean, 40 mph on a cul de sac? Got two of those right across the street in their mercedes and lexus.

Trust me the bus drivers appreciate your courtesy it's the #^£*#<{ jerks that do that piss us off. Parents are maniacs and like to park in bus lanes at schools

 

[TOOL460002]

Big trucks tend to leave lots of room between them and the next car, so people jump right in front of them. Trucks SHOULD leave all that room, because it takes them longer to stop, but people don't think about that. They just think "oh I need to merge!" And smaller cars can tailgate to not let people do that last minute merge thing. So- yeah... stupidity.

 

[Musiclogic]

From the perspective of a conscientious driver of a small car, I have to say that the biggest nuisance I deal with on my daily commute are jumped-up rednecks driving pickup trucks. They drive way too fast and hop lanes like they're on fire.

Sadly, most of them are driving company trucks, pulling massive trailers full of gear, and they still drive like they think they're driving racecars. I've learned to give them a wide berth when I see them, but they usually aren't as accommodating.

Yeah Mark, but your not the average dolt driving around either, you actually have a brain. Most idiots in cars today are just imbiciles....LMAO. as for the necks in pickups......LOL. you pretty much hit it on the head

 

[MarkMgibson]

There's plenty of bad driving to go around.

I ride a motorcycle, and every time I think I've seen it all, some idiot goes and proves me wrong. Sometimes the idiot is in a big truck, sometimes the idiot is in an SUV, sometimes the idiot is in a small car. (The all-time winner, though, was on a bicycle. Nearly took both of us out. Go figure.)

I give big trucks lots of room, and I wait to pass until I can get around quickly. I will not be beside any longer than I absolutely have to. I also refuse to follow loads of things. Doesn't matter if it's a semi trailer full of scrap steel or the rednecks moving to the other part of the county, I'm not following. I've dodged a lamp and a ladder (both still airborne) in my motorcycling career, and it was scary.

Drive safe, and stay off the %$*! phone!

I ride a motorbike too, and nearly got killed on one when I was 17 by a halfwit who didn't understand the meaning of a "Give Way" sign. Mind you, I've seen plenty of reckless driving from people on motorbikes, and trucks, and cars, and buses, and anything else that moves. It's just drivers in general who are impatient and reckless. There's just no accounting for idiots, whatever vehicle they happen to be driving. A fool is a fool.

 

[Tarrbot]

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.

Hi nortonrider,

I'm not going to speculate on the stupidity of regular drivers around trucks because I have this weird aura of vehicular stupidity that surrounds me by about a 1/2 mile in all directions. I see so many stupid things in normal everyday driving that it boggles my mind. And this is without trucks.

I do know, that I've seen more trucks cause accidents than I'd ever like to see. Part of it is that I used to work for a Freightliner dealership and my brother used to work for Freightliner doing CAD work for them.

But apart from that, I worked for Boeing many years ago in Texas and drove to work on TX Hwy 380. This has got to be one of the most dangerous roads for truck accidents I've ever seen.

In 3 years working there, I saw probably a dozen truck accidents and no idea how many fatalities. What I do know is that of the 500-ish employees working at Boeing and a small fraction having to drive 380 to get there, in three years I knew three people killed by trucks on that road. I don't know if this condition has changed since it was about 15 years ago and I no longer live in the area.

But it didn't surprise me recently when some outlaw from Colorado that shot up the dept of corrections head there was driving in Texas, was pulled over a mile from my mother's house there shot up an officer and ran from police.

Where did he go? He drove down Hwy 287 and got onto 380.

AND WAS HIT BY A TRUCK.

Yeah. Karma. He got out and committed suicide by cop.

The issue with 380 is that they are all rock trucks being paid to move rocks from a quarry. They get paid by the load so they speed on a 2 lane with several openings onto 3 lanes and kill people. But hey, the more loads they make the more they get paid, right?

 

[blastoff99]

The issue with 380 is that they are all rock trucks being paid to move rocks from a quarry. They get paid by the load so they speed on a 2 lane with several openings onto 3 lanes and kill people. But hey, the more loads they make the more they get paid, right?

Sounds like log / sawdust trucks around here. Nevermind those dangerous curves! Full speed ahead!

 

[MarkMgibson]

Hi nortonrider,

I'm not going to speculate on the stupidity of regular drivers around trucks because I have this weird aura of vehicular stupidity that surrounds me by about a 1/2 mile in all directions. I see so many stupid things in normal everyday driving that it boggles my mind. And this is without trucks.

I do know, that I've seen more trucks cause accidents than I'd ever like to see. Part of it is that I used to work for a Freightliner dealership and my brother used to work for Freightliner doing CAD work for them.

But apart from that, I worked for Boeing many years ago in Texas and drove to work on TX Hwy 380. This has got to be one of the most dangerous roads for truck accidents I've ever seen.

In 3 years working there, I saw probably a dozen truck accidents and no idea how many fatalities. What I do know is that of the 500-ish employees working at Boeing and a small fraction having to drive 380 to get there, in three years I knew three people killed by trucks on that road. I don't know if this condition has changed since it was about 15 years ago and I no longer live in the area.

But it didn't surprise me recently when some outlaw from Colorado that shot up the dept of corrections head there was driving in Texas, was pulled over a mile from my mother's house there shot up an officer and ran from police.

Where did he go? He drove down Hwy 287 and got onto 380.

AND WAS HIT BY A TRUCK.

Yeah. Karma. He got out and committed suicide by cop.

The issue with 380 is that they are all rock trucks being paid to move rocks from a quarry. They get paid by the load so they speed on a 2 lane with several openings onto 3 lanes and kill people. But hey, the more loads they make the more they get paid, right?

My mate worked for one of those quarries, doing short haul work. The more loads, the more money. He quit after about a month, and he was scathing about the way the pushed their drivers. No doubt there's plenty of unscrupulous trucking companies pushing drivers to go faster, but it's just a job. My friend had a wife a 3 young children to support at the time, but he refused to risk his, or anyone else's life to deliver a few more loads of gravel per day, no matter how good the pay was (and it was very good).

All these speed limiters and technical devices can always be bypassed (and very often are), and there's plenty of trucking companies who couldn't give a damn. Such companies are certainly culpable, but in the end, the biggest burden falls on the guy sitting behind the wheel, and the drivers know the dangers better than anyone. No amount of money is worth wiping out some car and killing an entire family to fill a quota, or meet a deadline.

 

[Tarrbot]

My mate worked for one of those quarries, doing short haul work. The more loads, the more money. He quit after about a month, and he was scathing about the way the pushed their drivers. No doubt there's plenty of unscrupulous trucking companies pushing drivers to go faster, but it's just a job. My friend had a wife a 3 young children to support at the time, but he refused to risk his, or anyone else's life to deliver a few more loads of gravel per day, no matter how good the pay was (and it was very good).

All these speed limiters and technical devices can always be bypassed (and very often are), and there's plenty of trucking companies who couldn't give a damn. Such companies are certainly culpable, but in the end, the biggest burden falls on the guy sitting behind the wheel, and the drivers know the dangers better than anyone. No amount of money is worth wiping out some car and killing an entire family to fill a quota, or meet a deadline.

How's this one for ya?

I was driving into work in downtown Ft Worth one day when I worked at the Freightliner dealer. On the radio, I heard that a cattle truck had overturned on I-35 near downtown. I thought, "Great. Now traffic will be bad"

Little did I imagine that I would soon see this mess up close. They drug the truck in to our shop, dead cattle and all. Apparently, the driver had run off after the accident and couldn't be found.

Inside the truck was a sign taped to the dash which read, "If you get pulled over, show them the other log book" or something to that effect.

I found out that the driver was an 18 year old who had little experience driving trucks at all, let alone shifting loads like cattle. The poor kid didn't know how to handle the cattle shifting in the trailer and flipped the truck on the Interstate in city traffic. Probably broke too hard and the cattle moved forward and threw the trailer over.

Later, I was talking to the owners of the cattle as they came to inspect the damage.

These guys couldn't care less that they had a young, inexperienced kid driving their truck or that they were blatantly violating laws. Their response to me was, "Well, we had the cattle insured for more than we could have gotten them at the market so we had a good day."

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Wow, that's quite a story you've got Glad that you are still among us

Having been involved in an accident with a Mack R600 Dump Truck and pony trailer ( it weighed a minimum of 80'000lbs.) when I was 20, I learned to give trucks a pretty wide berth.
In my case the accident was the truck drivers fault tho, he can down hill towards a signal and couldn't stop in time causing a chain reaction rear ender. The first car he hit was a Fiat Spyder which he rolled right over and pushed into the rest of us - he then crossed the center line and hit a Vega head on which bounced off of me.............Six cars destroyed and he's in the ditch on the left hand side of the road with a Fiat underneath him. The spent alot of time cutting that guy out and he had multiple injuries...........I ended up with a nasty cut in my eyebrow, bled like a stuck pig, got an ambulance ride, made the evening news and the paper.
33 years later I still give trucks a width berth.

 

[fraublugher]

People who do this and cause accidents are oblivious , they could have a 20 car pile-up they just caused fresh in their rear-view mirror and STILL be oblivious.
Smart , intuitive policing ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

If you're going to be allowed to hurl 2000 lbs of metal at someone , proper liscencing
might be a cure , as opposed to what we have now.

Spatial tests : ask anyone how wide their vehicle is , if they don't know , tell them they're dangerous.

 

[MarkMgibson]

People who do this and cause accidents are oblivious , they could have a 20 car pile-up they just caused fresh in their rear-view mirror and STILL be oblivious.
Smart , intuitive policing ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

If you're going to be allowed to hurl 2000 lbs of metal at someone , proper liscencing
might be a cure , as opposed to what we have now.

Spatial tests : ask anyone how wide their vehicle is , if they don't know , tell them they're dangerous.

Yeah, there certainly should be more stringent licensing for truck drivers, simply due to the potential damage they can cause. I didn't mean to have a go at truck drivers. Statistically speaking (in Australia), truck drivers have a fraction of the amount of accidents than cars, and half the number as bus drivers. Of course, they always get the TV cameras rolling when they do have one.

I've been involved in 3 serious accidents in my life (one on a motorcycle, and 2 in cars). In the first two cases, the drivers were middle aged, completely sober, weren't speeding, and were just guilty of lapses in concentration. There's really nothing you can do about that.

Sadly, the last accident I was in, the 24 year old girl (a nurse) who caused the accident was killed. She just lost control of her car on a wet (and very dangerous) mountain road. It happened in 1989, but the 20 minutes I spent holding her hand before she died are the most haunting memories of my life. People make mistakes - all the laws in world can't prevent that.

 

[aborgman]

Trucks have to pass whenever they get the chance. They also can't ride bumper to bumper with other vehicles. So when a gap opens that they can fit into to get out from behind a slower truck, they take it. They would pass more quickly, but most trucks have speed governors and truck speeding tickets cost more and have more repercussions than those for regular cars.

See, that is just it - they DON'T have to take the gap when they get it.

They can just slow down a couple miles per hour and NOT PASS if there is no way to pass safely.

Don't got enough space to pass quickly, or governed to the point where you can't pass without creating a large traffic backup? Slow down and don't pass.

Same goes for cars.