What do you wish 4-wheelers knew?

That 4-wheelers should realize I have the right of way when they're about to merge onto a freeway.
Sometimes I can't move over in time and I find it amazing that they think I'm going to slow down so they can merge.

No, that's not what I will be doing. These 4-wheelers should learn that YIELDING, is what is required.
and how about they LOOK instead of assuming it's OK to merge. Many times it's NOT.
Some of these turkeys don't even crick their necks to see if it's safe to merge. Like they're wearing blinkers, and hope for the best.
Being from the UK, on ramps in the US by and large are way too short. In contrast, you look at freeways back home, the on/off ramps are 3-4 times as long so it gives folks time to weigh up the speed of vehicles on the road so they can adjust their speed to suit.
It makes merging much more efficient and safe.

 

I generally have more problems with other truckers that should know better. Most four wheelers are just like children, they just don't know any better.

 

Ive never understood the flashing oversized lights. When you guys have all theses lights flashing all over the place and you go flick on your blinker it just doesn't stand out. There should be a standard to follow with the yellow flashers. Like just one, on top of the tractor. I hardly notice an oversize blinkers because there's so much flashing already, and I know what to look for.

 

Some of the things I teach at B.R.A.K.E.S.

1. Stopping distance of a 4 wheeler and a 80,000 lbs. truck at 55 and 65 mph.
2. Where our blind spots are.( I let them sit in the truck and they realize that the 3 cars I parked where they think they're safe, don't exist in my world.)
3. We move a lot of air and may bounce you around.
4. Where you'll be BEFORE I see you in heavy rain without your lights on with a light colored vehicle.
5. If you are on a two lane road and see a truck behind you, signal plenty ahead of time for us so we have time to slow down.
6. How to safely pass a big truck.


This is just a few of the things I teach at every class.


www.putonthebrakes.org

 

I guess due to there being much more 4 wheel vehicles as compared to semi trucks, there are going to be a higher number of bad drivers in the 4 wheel vehicles. I have seen a few truckers still on the cell phones without the headset. seen maybe 3 in the last year texting or doing something with a hand held device. that compared to the same type of activity by 4 wheelers is off the chart.

 

The amount of 4 wheelers surfing the web/texting/whatever, on cell phones, is unbelievable.

Things would improve 100% if they simply put the phone down, and used all of their limited skills to drive.

 

I wish they knew how to use a kleenex............

 

When you come up on an oversize, you need to be looking ahead for what he will need to swerve over to avoid. Signs and bridge abutments being the obvious. I don't think there's enough lights or signs you could stick on a load to substitute for thinking and looking beyond the hoopty you're riding in. That's something nearly zero 4 wheelers and not enough truck drivers do.

Answering the OP:
1. Stay clear of me, especially in front.
2. Learn to merge, right of way is given not taken.
3. Dim your lights if you can see me. Turn off those awesome fog/driving lights if it's clear. You don't need to see into the next continent from there.

 

You do not pass (or attempt to) in a 2 lane construction zone. Had someone try yesterday but there was a truck blocking their way....

 

Love doing that with my pickup truck at a construction zone when the road goes down to 1 lane and people try to fly up the closed lane to cut into the line at the last min. Also love then seeing other people behind or in front me me move over as well to help block the people in a rush to get nowhere.

While back I did that and the guy was honking behind me trying to get past. Didn't let him so he was stuck right behind me. As soon as the construction zone passed and the road went back to two lanes, he swerved around me and floored it to race up the empty lane. Unluckily for him there was a cop waiting not 10 yards from the end of the construction zone