Questions To Truckers From The General PublicThe Rockin' Chair. Not a trucker? Want to know something that's been bugging you about truckers? Why do truckers do this & why do they do that? Ask truckers here. Give truckers your opinion.
I'm sorry others had deviated away from your original posting. To answer your query, you must first put yourself in the shoes of one of these OTR truckers. You get up at 6 AM (or earlier) out of your sleeper berth, you drive to the shipper or receiver to load or unload, they take 4 hours (or more) to load-unload you, which you don't get paid for. OTR truckers are only paid when the wheels are turning. Some are paid a flat-rate "dock delay" pay, but most are not. You put in 12 to 16 hours of labor effort in your work per day, and you consume plenty of coffee or stimulants (Red Bull) in your system to stay awake. This combination of long hours, lack of sleep, and too much caffeine and herbal stimulants in your system can often lead to a short temper.
These drivers saw you come up on their mirrors, and decided to pull a mean, vicious game on you. They came on over the CB radio to coordinate their malicious intent on you, then got tired after 5 minutes. They were probably hoping you would drive down the emergency shoulder lane to try and pass, and the truck nearest you intended to push you off the pavement. I've seen drivers pull this stunt, and when I came over the CB radio to admonish them for their conduct, every one came back on me, telling me its none of my f#&* business what others do to entertain themselves.
I'm sorry you had experienced this. In the future, note the tractor unit number of the truck, the trailer unit number on the trailer, and company name on the truck, the time of day, which highway, the mile marker, then call the company to lodge a formal complaint. You can also email the [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. to voice your concern for the need to crack down on unsafe OTR truckers.
I would speculate the drivers who pulled this vicious stunt on you were O/Os (owner operators). When ever I've witnessed unprofessional conduct by truckers, I follow them to see who they pull for, and I always find out they're O/Os, who are given more latitude when a background check reveals a questionable character. A person with a criminal history may not get job as a trucker, unless at least 3 to 5 years had passed since their last felony conviction. But an O/O would receive less scrutiny because he provides the insurance coverage (for loss or damaged freight) out of his pocket.
It is a very strange coincidence that you happened to post this, as what you described in this post actually happened to me about 2 months ago. Except I didn't pass on the shoulder, I waited until the driver passed, and was expecting to go about my business. When I was starting to pass him he started to pull into the left lane, running me onto the shoulder. At this point I knew that he was trying to make me crash, so I slammed on my brakes and took the first exit I saw before the two trucks tried to crush my compact because they were bored. Unfortunately I didn't get their numbers, and I didn't see anything written on their trailers.
I don't get it, I try to keep my truck karma good, I always let trucks merge, change lanes, etc. I even go out of my way to do that (for all vehicles, not just trucks) but I seem to have bad luck. Anyway, I guess it's not a truck thing, just some idiots that don't seem to care about anyone on the roads but themselves. Thanks for the responses though, seeing that not all of you are like this makes me feel better (and safer).
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Not sure but I have noticed in Illinois, Michigan, California and Ohio that some trucks do that. Ask one of them one time why and he told me in not polite way that if they can't do 65 why should the 4 wheelers.
Personally don't agree with the split speed limits some states use especially in the rural areas but don't think the four wheelers are the problem. Its the bureaucrats.
Wish they were all impeached
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10.11.2008
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