Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Why do people cut off semi trucks?
- Thread starter nortonrider
- Start date
I'm not talking about unrealistic, I'm talking about a schedule that revolves around maintaining an average speed.
Certainly true.
That's 12 hour driving period doesn't exist, it's 11 hour maximum for an entire day, followed by a minimum of 10 hours off duty. That can turn that 30 to 40 miles from an extra 30 minutes to an extra half a day or longer. Truck scheduling has lots of rules that, if you've had no exposure to the industry, you simply haven't heard of and wouldn't reasonably know much about. And, as with speeding tickets, a ticket for being in service when a driver isn't supposed to is expensive and has negative consequences more strict than for a regular car and driver.
No. People should be attentive and considerate on the road. If you see a truck blinker, don't get in the way. The truck driver may not care about someone that is driving in a way that implies impatience, so will get over if there is a chance.
It costs a motorist a few minutes to let a truck pass another truck. It can cost the truck driver hours to stay behind a slow moving vehicle.
Most certainly.
This has always been a consideration of mine. When I learned how to drive, it was in a place where people had never learned not to tailgate. For an example, I would drive home from work ever night, and on the way home there was a five mile stretch of perfectly straight highway that never had anyone on it coming the other way. I always had someone behind me from town, riding my bumper. Once I got to this stretch, I always expected them to pass, and they never did. I could slow down to 40 miles per hour and whoever was behind me would always just stick right to me. Several times I had people get so close that I could no longer see their headlights. 6 years of this and it really got on my nerves to be tailgated.
I often thought "I don't have roadrage, and this makes me angry. What if they did this to someone with no self control? That person could do something that causes an accident." At the time I had an old Honda Accord, and whenever I found my self behind a truck, I noticed that my head was exactly level with the DOT bumper. I always though, at those times "what if someone tailgated this truck, and it made the driver as angry as it made me? If they get brake checked, that bumper will come right through the windshield and kill them."
I sincerely hope that if this is true, the bitch was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
That person doesn't deserve to be in public... let alone drive... let alone drive a large vehicle.
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."
Pathetic, but nothing much surprises me these days. I think there should certainly be a higher age limit for people who drive trucks. Perhaps 21 might be a better minimum age? Just a thought. 18 seems too young to driving a cattle truck.
I also think new drivers should have to do an advanced driving course (the type where the instructors are usually ex-race car drivers, with skid-pans, advanced braking techniques, etc). I reckon that would save a lot of lives. The accident I mentioned where the girl got killed - she just lost traction on an off-camber corner on a wet road, panicked and hit the brakes. A better driver could easily have regained control, so why not train drivers to know how handle such situations? The expense would surely be worth it. If I had kids, they'd be doing one of those courses for sure.
I appreciate them, just not when you get on the road, it's dark as ****, you don't exactly have modern headlights, and some guy in his big rig, along with three of his best buds, look forward to pushing the **** out of any traffic ahead of them.
For outright scariness, go to YouTube, and search for "Car Crash Compilations". Most of them are Russian or environs.
For my own experience, I've seen big rigs taking up all 3 lanes going into and out of T.O. on the 401 with one going just a wee bit faster than the other. Gridlock ensues.
I have seen trucks overturned on the highway, and of course, everybody has to slow down to rubber neck.
I've also seen people cut of trucks, and was waiting for the crash that never came, but sure did hear the air horn!
One thing I learned early in my driving life: When passing another vehicle, don't pull back into the lane until you can see BOTH headlights in your inside mirror.
On the highway, I use the "2 second rule" when ever possible. There's an area outside T.O. (around Aurora, I think) that has chevrons painted on the road. You are advised to keep 2 of them between you and the car in front. (2 seconds) I have nearly been cut off even on that section, and had to back off to keep proper distance. Some drivers are totally inconsiderate to others, as well as themselves. If you leave a safe gap, it's a sure bet someone will try to fill it, and if you're in the center lane, you see it from both sides. I once saw two cars trying to fit into the gap from both sides! DUMB!!!
P.S. Just remembered something else I was taught about truckers. If you can't see the driver in the outside mirror, (s)he can't see you.
For my own experience, I've seen big rigs taking up all 3 lanes going into and out of T.O. on the 401 with one going just a wee bit faster than the other. Gridlock ensues.
I have seen trucks overturned on the highway, and of course, everybody has to slow down to rubber neck.
I've also seen people cut of trucks, and was waiting for the crash that never came, but sure did hear the air horn!
One thing I learned early in my driving life: When passing another vehicle, don't pull back into the lane until you can see BOTH headlights in your inside mirror.
On the highway, I use the "2 second rule" when ever possible. There's an area outside T.O. (around Aurora, I think) that has chevrons painted on the road. You are advised to keep 2 of them between you and the car in front. (2 seconds) I have nearly been cut off even on that section, and had to back off to keep proper distance. Some drivers are totally inconsiderate to others, as well as themselves. If you leave a safe gap, it's a sure bet someone will try to fill it, and if you're in the center lane, you see it from both sides. I once saw two cars trying to fit into the gap from both sides! DUMB!!!
P.S. Just remembered something else I was taught about truckers. If you can't see the driver in the outside mirror, (s)he can't see you.
My Uncle drives a rig (Not really my Uncle, but I've known him my whole life, might as we'll be)
He's driving on the 401 in Toronto, and some dude drives infront of him, and locks the breaks (With 2 children and his wife in the car).. He told me he still dosent know how he stoped in time, it made no sense, but he did.
The driver of the car decides to get out, on the 401, and Yell at him about how he cut him off earlier... In traffic... We'll a van comes flying down the road, and smokes the guy. Than this guy tries to sue the company for his injuries...
Thank hell he didn't win.. but... Whats your Problem? Honestly?
I have almost 0 problems with truckers, i show them respect, they in turn show it to me.
A couple points mentioned, like blowing red lights.. Turning left is insane for cars in rush hour traffic, imagine driving a Semi? Some manouvers you may not agree with, are the only way they can actual get anywhere. They can't be stuck at a light until rush hour ends..
Why do people pass semi's doing 1-3KM faster.. If you want to pass them SPEED UP, don't sit in there blind spot all day. You can slow down later if you want to, but they just seem to love to drive right beside them..
Also, my biggest gripe. You see a truck is trying to turn left, your coming up to stop (1 way street) Do you really need to go so far up that they now can't turn? Is it really so hard to stop a couple meters back, than proceed to move up once there past?
He's driving on the 401 in Toronto, and some dude drives infront of him, and locks the breaks (With 2 children and his wife in the car).. He told me he still dosent know how he stoped in time, it made no sense, but he did.
The driver of the car decides to get out, on the 401, and Yell at him about how he cut him off earlier... In traffic... We'll a van comes flying down the road, and smokes the guy. Than this guy tries to sue the company for his injuries...
Thank hell he didn't win.. but... Whats your Problem? Honestly?
I have almost 0 problems with truckers, i show them respect, they in turn show it to me.
A couple points mentioned, like blowing red lights.. Turning left is insane for cars in rush hour traffic, imagine driving a Semi? Some manouvers you may not agree with, are the only way they can actual get anywhere. They can't be stuck at a light until rush hour ends..
Why do people pass semi's doing 1-3KM faster.. If you want to pass them SPEED UP, don't sit in there blind spot all day. You can slow down later if you want to, but they just seem to love to drive right beside them..
Also, my biggest gripe. You see a truck is trying to turn left, your coming up to stop (1 way street) Do you really need to go so far up that they now can't turn? Is it really so hard to stop a couple meters back, than proceed to move up once there past?
The driving age for interstate commercial drivers is 21, state ages vary by state and the kind of work being done.
Age really has no relation to ability in this case.
I know young guys that can handle a big rig better than a lot of the old timers.
And,
The majority of people that cut me off while in my big truck are "middle aged".
I'm loaded and ready to make a run to Denver tomorrow (I-70, Vail pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, ect...). I usually leave at 4 A.M., but tomorrow I am leaving at 5 A.M. just so I don't have to be around rush hour traffic.
I'm sure I will be cut off by cars multiple times before I ever make it to the Denver Metropolitan area.
I know young guys that can handle a big rig better than a lot of the old timers.
And,
The majority of people that cut me off while in my big truck are "middle aged".
I'm loaded and ready to make a run to Denver tomorrow (I-70, Vail pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, ect...). I usually leave at 4 A.M., but tomorrow I am leaving at 5 A.M. just so I don't have to be around rush hour traffic.
I'm sure I will be cut off by cars multiple times before I ever make it to the Denver Metropolitan area.
For your enjoyment.
Truck Crash Compilation
One of my favorite channels.
I think a lot of drivers in Russia have dash cams.
Truck Crash Compilation
One of my favorite channels.
I think a lot of drivers in Russia have dash cams.
Many trucks and buses here have signs on the back that say just that - "If you can't see my mirror, I can't see you". Such signs are a good reminder to people, and perhaps every truck should have one. I suppose if you see those signs often enough, the message sinks in.
i think in LA the self absorbed factor comes into play, nobody really has any understanding of the road being a community that needs to have a flow to it, i used to drive an art moving truck and you were constantly having people drag race you from the right lane to avoid parked cars and you also had people who were afraid to pass you so they just camped out in your right side blind spot and got really unpredictable if you put your right signal on, and another big factor is cell phones too, passing somebody and slamming on the brakes to read a text or read a street sign following gps directions
Learned a whole new definition of the term 'impatient driver' when I moved out to Metro detroit area 15 years ago. I have to be very careful whenever I make a move back into the right lane after I've passed anyone because very likely someone has come up behind me and cut in between me and the car I've just passed. I've accidently forced a couple people onto the road shoulder from not doing a double take. Normally I look to amke sure I'm clear of the car with enoguh room (seeing them in my inside mirror), then I turn on my signal and move. Now besides turning on the signal I do a second check to amke sure nobody moved there since I looked half a second ago.
Another pet peave of mine is coming up on lights that turn yellow on the major boulevards around Metro Detroit. You MUST examine your rearview mirror before hitting your brakes otherwise you risk getting rear ended because likely the driverS behind you hit the accelerator instead of the brakes.
AND, I've been passed more times than I can count on the left AND right shoudlers of the highway while doing the speed limit. And while in the left lane I was passing at a good rate!
I want a rail gun mounted under my car.
Another pet peave of mine is coming up on lights that turn yellow on the major boulevards around Metro Detroit. You MUST examine your rearview mirror before hitting your brakes otherwise you risk getting rear ended because likely the driverS behind you hit the accelerator instead of the brakes.
AND, I've been passed more times than I can count on the left AND right shoudlers of the highway while doing the speed limit. And while in the left lane I was passing at a good rate!
I want a rail gun mounted under my car.
Perhaps people have seen "Duel" too many times, and want revenge! You must admit, that trucky wasn't a nice chap. 
I especially like the
<-Passing Side Suicide->
Signs. Very informative. But I don't see them enough.
Never seen that sign; it's a good one though. Perhaps all trucks should have those sort of signs on them. Might make people think twice if they see them on the back of every truck they encounter. Perhaps the message might sink in. It works for mass advertising.
I go by the "law of tonnage". When I am on my motorcycle I try to get as far away as humanly possible. Some people are just morons to try and test a semi..
I only read the original post so, I'll keep this short.
My dad was a diesel mechanic for a long time so I got to ride around in MACK trucks a lot. My favorite is the classic R model. Say..a R686ST. With the wet kit obviously. And a few times we would see idiots do this. In their little sportster cars. now obviously they are doing a eff u to the truck...Because the truck is big and in his way.
What they do not realize..it doesn't stop on a dime. the truck is slow because of torque vs. speed requirements. and sometimes you drive a 32 speed and it takes a minute to get up and going.
Ever see the gears of a transmission from a caterpillar engine from a Ford diesel truck? HUGE!!!!!
My dad was a diesel mechanic for a long time so I got to ride around in MACK trucks a lot. My favorite is the classic R model. Say..a R686ST. With the wet kit obviously. And a few times we would see idiots do this. In their little sportster cars. now obviously they are doing a eff u to the truck...Because the truck is big and in his way.
What they do not realize..it doesn't stop on a dime. the truck is slow because of torque vs. speed requirements. and sometimes you drive a 32 speed and it takes a minute to get up and going.
Ever see the gears of a transmission from a caterpillar engine from a Ford diesel truck? HUGE!!!!!
