Truck drivers!
one of the guys that works with us had a loaded dumptruck not only cut him off last second but hook his bike, because he had nowhere to go. he let himself off the bike as the dump truck drug the heritage until a passing car stopped him (about a half mile) $10000 in damafge and not totalled....he's ok though, barely had any road rash, he was only going like 20 miles an hour in traffic.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
I rarely have problems with the big rig drivers. However, the semi-pros running the gravel trucks and some local/regional delivery trucks...well that's a different story.
When I used to haul the travel trailer a lot, the big rigs were always (well, almost always) courteous when I needed to make lane changes or pass them.
Many years ago I had an 18-wheel driver drop his trailer tandems off the shoulder to throw some rocks at me...of course I WAS drafting him on my 125!
He couldn't see me, knew I was there, and wanted me OUT where he could see me.
When I used to haul the travel trailer a lot, the big rigs were always (well, almost always) courteous when I needed to make lane changes or pass them.
Many years ago I had an 18-wheel driver drop his trailer tandems off the shoulder to throw some rocks at me...of course I WAS drafting him on my 125!
He couldn't see me, knew I was there, and wanted me OUT where he could see me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 1
From: pasco county FL
A big part is the mega companies just want to bring in new & inexperienced , once they are out of the endentured servant time they either leave the industry or at least that company . Some like SWIFT hire as many drivers a year as they own trucks , treat them like crap and about the time they are gettin somewhat of a grip on the work , POOF! They are gone! Not enough is spent to retain drivers , is more , how can we get more work for less co$t? Remember the days when the avg company requierment was 3 years experience and 25 years old? You pretty much had to know someone in the biz to teach u and get you that 3 years experience. Now it's more "if you can fog a mirror and have a pulse , we can train you to drive a big rig in 3 - 6 weeks! And they would like to lower the age to 18 for interstate hauling . There IS no shortage of potential drivers/CDL holders , just a shortage of companies to treat them as valued empolyee's .Hence you now have more steeringwheel holders (prolly 90%) than true proffessionals.
The "ME FIRST" 'tude of all drivers on the road has not helped either.
The "ME FIRST" 'tude of all drivers on the road has not helped either.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Inverness scotland
I drive a truck myself and like some of the contributors I agree that among the younger drivers, the standards have gone down which seems to mirror the US and probably for the same reasons however its not all bad and you cannot lump all drivers into one category as there are different pressures on different people although its not an excuse for dangerous behaviour, it is how ever narrower profits putting pressure on the driver when it should be about fair rates for the owners which would filter down to the drivers having the time and margins to complete the job in a safe and reasonable manner.
Oh and while I'm here That space in front of the truck on the highway that looks perfect for cutting in..just remember that's the distance that the driver needs to stop his rig in a hurry...You cut in you take your life in your hands and the poor drivers life to.
Oh and while I'm here That space in front of the truck on the highway that looks perfect for cutting in..just remember that's the distance that the driver needs to stop his rig in a hurry...You cut in you take your life in your hands and the poor drivers life to.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
About a year ago I was approaching a I pass ( Illinois toll road prepay) lane at about 30 mph towing a trailer with an SUV. Just before the lane separators started the 18 wheeler changed lanes about 20 feet ahead of me. Missed him by about a foot I think by the time I got the trailer slowed up. I would think this would be covered in any driving schools or at least common sense would tell you not to do it even if none was beside you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 2
From: North Lima, Ohio
Invention of the cell phone and texting is what happened. Everyones doing it these days and truckers are no different. Saw one weaving on the freeway the other day, got up next to him and there he was TEXTING!!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
"We walked back and I opened the drivers door and asked her to please climb up and sit in the drivers seat which she did. Again I couldn't believe she would do it but she seemed to think nothing of it"
Did you show her the sleeper?
Did you show her the sleeper?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: eastern NC
I drive a truck and trailer hauling agricultrial tractors for the state highway dept.
The state buys the cheapest, weakest trucks they can get.
When I need to make a lane change I will turn on my signal and then the fun begains.
Cars and trucks and yes motorcycles will jump out and pass me to keep me from moving over.
I mean let me get the hell over and you can floorboard it as far as im concerned.
The other day I came up on a red light and just through the light a trooper pulled a guy over on the right shoulder.
Now you know the trooper left his car half on the road and half off, so I got to move over because the law says so and also im hauling a wide load.
Well I signal and no one will let me move over, finally I get a break and some SOB comes flying around me on the left shoulder flipping the bird.
If I could have got my hands around his neck Id choked him to death.
So, as much as some truck drivers dont pay attention and do stupid stuff, theres just as many cars, trucks, and bikes that do just as much!
The state buys the cheapest, weakest trucks they can get.
When I need to make a lane change I will turn on my signal and then the fun begains.
Cars and trucks and yes motorcycles will jump out and pass me to keep me from moving over.
I mean let me get the hell over and you can floorboard it as far as im concerned.
The other day I came up on a red light and just through the light a trooper pulled a guy over on the right shoulder.
Now you know the trooper left his car half on the road and half off, so I got to move over because the law says so and also im hauling a wide load.
Well I signal and no one will let me move over, finally I get a break and some SOB comes flying around me on the left shoulder flipping the bird.
If I could have got my hands around his neck Id choked him to death.
So, as much as some truck drivers dont pay attention and do stupid stuff, theres just as many cars, trucks, and bikes that do just as much!
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Everytime I am on the bike someone cuts me off, BUT I expect it I leave plenty of room for them to do so, and on the other hand if I see a car, truck, rig, or what ever with thier signal on wanting my lane I will slow down and allow them to merge in safely. Nothing like being right...DEAD RIGHT.
Been driving tractor trailers for 14 years, 10 of those in a gas tanker.
I've worked in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and now out here in SoCal and some of the DUMBEST drivers I have ever run across were out here.
Guys get their Class A and don't know dick, but companies out here want cheap drivers.
I've worked in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and now out here in SoCal and some of the DUMBEST drivers I have ever run across were out here.
Guys get their Class A and don't know dick, but companies out here want cheap drivers.
Last edited by El Rey; Sep 15, 2009 at 07:41 PM. Reason: Spelling