The Newby and the Super Driver

**Prospector** · 02.25.2007

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.

**mArTmAn** · 02.25.2007

That was a good one!

**Gearjammin' Penguin** · 02.25.2007

Originally Posted by Prospector

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.

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 cocky, you're a danger to yourself and everyone else on the road."

Wise words. Sounds like Mr Supertrucker forgot 'em.

**Prospector** · 02.25.2007

That is a great quote, I'm gonna make a sign out of that one and hang it up.
Drivers being cocky, especially on the CB (because of the anonimity, I suppose) is a big problem. It just seems that some people can't wait to put someone else down. Just listen to the CB when you're stuck in rush hour traffic in Chicago (or any other big city) and you will constantly hear drivers putting one another down and trying to pick fights. Its like its entertainment to them. Truck stop parking lots are the same way. That was one of the biggest surprises I had when I first got out there. The loss of civility and the absolute cruelty against perfect strangers.

Of course this isn't the case with all drivers, its just that the idiots are loud, so they get all the attention.

Being civil and polite to others is just such a much better way to live in my opinion.

**Hitman** · 02.28.2007

Originally Posted by Prospector

Being civil and polite to others is just such a much better way to live in my opinion.

Ya got that right

**truckerjaw** · 03.06.2007

I had a smiler time with a 'super trucker'. He, in his big shiny pete let me know that my slow company truck was holding him up as we did the speed limit threw a one lane construction zone. At the end of the zone he took off like a mad man. About 10 miles later he was on the shoulder signing a lil' yellow piece of paper for a man in uniform. I smiled big and waved at him.

**ssbowles** · 09.28.2007

Originally Posted by Prospector

Drivers being cocky, especially on the CB (because of the anonimity, I suppose) is a big problem. It just seems that some people can't wait to put someone else down. Just listen to the CB when you're stuck in rush hour traffic in Chicago (or any other big city) and you will constantly hear drivers putting one another down and trying to pick fights. Its like its entertainment to them. Truck stop parking lots are the same way.

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....

**AfterShock** · 09.28.2007

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.

**ConcreteAngel** · 09.29.2007

Originally Posted by AfterShock

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.

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

**AfterShock** · 09.29.2007

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.