A couple of years ago, I was in my first winter of driving for Swift with just a few weeks of solo driving experience under my belt.
Well, the snow was coming down hard, very limited visibility and I was taking it slow and easy. Fortunately, this piece of interstate was flat and straight but I was still nervous.
I was in the granny lane doing about 40-45 MPH when another truck passed me in the hammer lane, he had to have been going 60 MPH or faster.
He came on the CB and said "Hey Swifty, want me to take those training wheels off for you?" As I always did, I just ignored his comment and kept on going. Swift drivers learn early on to develop a thick skin.
I almost hate to admit it, but I was really gratified when I got about 5 more miles down the road and saw that he had slid off the highway into the median. From his track marks, it was obvious what had happened. The highway curved and his truck didn't. He was all the way into the median, buried in snow up to his axles.
He was outside his truck when I drove past him, so I just gave a friendly blast of the horn as I went past.
I don't know how long this driver had been on the road, but I think a good moral of the story is not to think that your experience trumps the weather or other road conditions. It can happen to anyone, no matter how many years you've been out there.
The Newby and the Super Driver
Discussion in 'Road Stories' started by Prospector, Feb 25, 2007.
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That was a good one!
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When I was coming up, I made it a point to listen to all the old hands. Now, granted, I had to separate the truth from the tall tales, but there was a lot of good advice out there.
One thing almost every older driver told me was this: "Kid, the day you think you know everything, and there's nothing more anyone can teach you--STOP. Hang up your license and go do something else. It's one thing to be confident, but when you're ####y, you're a danger to yourself and everyone else on the road."
Wise words. Sounds like Mr Supertrucker forgot 'em.
wore out Thanks this. -
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You know, I think that a large part of that is just a way to break the boredom and repetitive nature of this job. Sounds like people are actually gonna come out of their truck and start killing other drivers, but for the most part, it's just a vent. Blowing off a little steam.
Especially late at night, you'll hear drives arguing, and threatening to stop and whop up on each other. In reality, they're just stirring it up to stay awake.
That's my 2 cents worth anyway....
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Hey amigo!
Does that two cents also include your excellent story?
If so, I'll take a dozen.
And consider it a bargain.
Keep the change.
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Welll.. welll welll... could it be ?? .well it could be.. Shocky and SS .. at the same time & same location?? .. hold on to your cape batman.. it is!!!..
Wahooooo... now before you two start to "rollllll" your eyes.. thinking oh dang she found us... you two wanted to be found and it surely didn't take long!! .. (doing the happy dance)!! .. lol I just had to do some snooping.... with my handy dandy "bird dog".. and they say, they are only good for one thing!..
Well,... just wavin and moving away from the keyboard to lay my head down on the pillow..... G'night/morning (however you look @ it!).. lol
CA
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ConcreteAngel!!!
Holy Moley!
Things are getting better and better.
You're HERE!
I'm glad.
Now, change into something more comfortable and kick your shoes off. And get ready for some real fun posting and reading. If this site isn't just what the doctor ordered, I'd think about getting a second opinion.
I'm GLAD you found us CA.
Did I/we make the trail easy enough for you?
I left a map.
And written instructions.
Smoke signals and a red flare.
Circles and arrows pointing the right direction.
The Truckers Report has gained yet another fine member.
Folks, meet ConcreteAngel.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
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