Truckertaz, I have a question for you. I know you're a truck driver, and I'm always fascinated by big rigs and truckers for some reason. I guess I just admire their dedication, driving skill, patience, and courtesy on the road....

Anyway, I'm wondering what bugs you most about driving a big rig? Like things that other drivers do. I know I always get mad when I see a little car completely cut off a big rig, makes me wanna shout at them or see the big rig mow them down or something. Lol.. Anyway, what'da you say?

This thread was split from another thread and modified to be it's own thread.~ FTE

 

As far as driving aspect there are 2 things that get under my skin in a hurry.

1. When I am driving down the highway and move over a lane to let someone enter and they wont slow down or speed up to let me back over. Then when someone faster comes up behind me and thinks its my fault for slowing traffic down. 4 wheelers can speed up and slow down quicker than I can

2. When a 4 wheeler will speed up to get around you then slow down to make a turn and make me slow down. Not much fun slowing down 80k in a hurry then trying to get it moving again


Other than those two things, its just general dwi (driving with idiots)

 

It's time that 4-wheelers in this country cut the big rigs a little slack. I've never even been inside one of those cabs, but I can see from where I sit that it can't be an easy job. When I see a trucker in a tight spot, like trying to pull out onto the street I'm on, I slow down, flash the lights and wave 'em in. This is ESPECIALLY important in city traffic, where they could be sitting forever just waiting for a opening. Don't make 'em wait, GIVE them the opening they need. It's the right thing to do, and hey, your beer and Doritos will get to your store just that much quicker!

 

Thats the funny part, most dont realise that almost everything in your life has been on a truck at one point
You can beat some over the head with a stick and they still wouldn't realise it

 

There is a road here in the Bay Area called Niles Canyon, which runs through.... um... Niles Canyon. Anyway, I used to drive it EVERY stinking day to and from school, and at the end of it there is a stop sign, so during rush hour it gets way backed up, and cars are bumper to bumper, of course (we're in the Bay Area). So one day I'm coasting up to the line of cars that's piled up, and I see in the oncoming lane this big rig going really slow, like somethign was up, and I immediately thought he must be wanting to turn left (across my lane) into this greenery entrance. So I slow down and stop to let him turn left, cause if I didn't then he'd be waiting there for a loooong time, considering the line of cars behind me, and the line of cars about 50 feet in front of me, just sitting there. Besides, all the traffic behind him couldn't move since he had to turn left, and there was no way around him. Anyway, once he turned, I waved at him and he waved back for like 5 seconds - I could tell he was really grateful.

Anyway, yes, I try to do that for truckers a lot, little courteous things like that, but considering the circumstances of that road, that is one that just really stands out in my mind. Plus it makes me feel good inside that I helped him out, I dunno. Sorry for the rant, just thought I'd share that.

Also, Truckertaz, when 4-wheelers are merging onto the freeway, and you can't move over to let them on, what do you prefer they do: speed up and try to beat you, or slow down and let you go ahead. I'm sure it depends on where they are on the on-ramp relative to you, but do you (and other truckers) have a general preference?

Ryan

 

I personally prefer the 4 wheeler to speed up. When they slow down, I have to slow down too, coz I have no idea what they are going to do next. Some will slow right down, then decide I am going too slow, so will shoot out infront of me, vanishing for a while under the hood.. That tends to be annoying.

 

I would agree with Theo, I would rather them speed up and be infront of me because I,not sure of other drivers, am allready letting off the throttle hoping they will get in front rather than stay in one of many blind spots .


Ryan, I for one cannot thank guys like you enuff. Most people dont realise how long it takes to get those things rolling from a complete stop, let alone trying to cross a busy intersection

 

Ryan and Mark, I used to drive truck too and would like to thank you for your consideration . There's not alot of people out there that give a thought to what we go through trying to negotiate traffic all day. (I say we because i still consider myself a truck driver, even though I hope I never have to do it again.)

The other one that really annoyed me was when 4 wheelers would sit like a foot off your rear bumper for miles, then when you come up on slower traffic you dont know if you can pull out or not. They think there doin us a favor by givin us room to get out but there just makin the problem worse .

Thanks for the consideration!
Dana

 

I would rather have the little creatures behind me & open road in the front.


I knew there was a reason why I liked you!!

As for the traffic situation, it never seened to fail that I was put in that situation regardless where I went. After awhile I lost my patients & do what I was there to do, traffic or no traffic. I have blocked major roadways in Chicago, LA, & New York just so I can get a decent shot for a loading dock.

 

Hey Mike, does your computer take wood or coal?

 

I know I appreciate what you guys do. Can't be easy. I'm really impressed with the trucks in the western states that haul three trailers behind them. It's like passing a train! And how in the world do you back up a tandem trailer, anyway? That takes some skill, I bet.

I'm with ryaneverk2, though. Let the trucks go, give em their space. I like to flash them when they are passing me, so they can get over. It makes me feel good, too, when they flash all their trailer lights back at me as a thank you.

 

Ok Be Prepared!
Who knows what question Mike W has up his sleeve now!

 

It's just too bad that more people out there don't respect truckers or give them the space or consideration they need. Just about every car I see around here would just as soon cut them off or hang on their bumper all day, and not even consider being courteous or safe. Of course, I do live in the Bay Area, so the majority of people I see drive like that. Hopefully there are better drivers elsewhere...

 

Wow, I just realized that I completely hijacked this thread. I aplogize, Mike W! I guess we can always start a new thread, so if anyone wants to continue on this trucker topic, feel free.

 

Glad I'm not the only truck driver on here. Like every one else, cutting me off and then the inevatible brake check. I often wonder if these guys understand what would happen if they crowd in to my stopping distance and befor I could slow down and get some more room between the car and me if their car engine quit. Road Pizza, and I could never convince the police it wasn't my fault.