how often do people try to cut you off?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by snowbird_89, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Had some idiot in a newish mustang try it on my in Oklahoma City last year. Jumped in front of me and yanked his e-brake. Too bad for him I had my cb on, and heard about him from the other drivers. I was ready for his butt, and had already dropped my speed so I wouldn't hit him. People are stupid, and some people WILL try to cause an accident with big rigs to get the money. Pay attention to what's going on around you, especially in heavy traffic, watch your speed and following distance, and you should be alright.
     
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  3. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    It almost seems like its some sort of sport. See how close you can get to the bigtruck and cut your wheel.

    When I first started driving, we were still trying to do that knights of the road crap. Saw a female Covenant driver die in Florida when she swerved to avoid an idiot who cut her off. She went into the water and drowned before we could get to her.

    Saw a driver in Cuba,Alabama cut his wheels and go slamming through trees in a cabover. There wasnt enough left of him to put into the bag.

    And the idiot 4 wheelers kept going.

    Why cut your wheels? To give your life to save an idiot whose only going to do it to someone else? I'd rather deal with the law and the media than cut my wheels.
     
  4. LostSoulCA

    LostSoulCA Medium Load Member

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    Two words. Dash cam. It won't help much if you are running illegal or following too close but your companies lawyers will be able to use it to improve their case.
     
  5. dirtyoldman

    dirtyoldman Light Load Member

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    Daily, you have to anticipate it, you have to be aware of your surroundings.

    Sometimes I get my revenge by stuffing someone going into a construction zone.


    K
     
  6. Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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    Agree with the rest. Especially in the crowded NE, you will get cut off daily, usually several times a day. Running 78/287/80/95 around Newark you will be cut off dozens of times in an hour. I honestly don't think they even look if they have room anymore. They feel that if you don't make the room for them, then the accident is your fault.

    After a while, you usually tell who is going to and who isn't by their driving style and body language.

    The ones that get me are the ones that have to cut back to the slow lane to pass you after you pass another big truck and are trying to give them some room before coming back over. I would dearly love to legally be able to put them in the ditch.

    What truck drivers need is a 1 day free pass to do what we like to stupid 4 wheelers. I bet you'll see some cautious 4 wheelers after that. :biggrin_2551:
     
  7. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Of course you've heard "watch the other guy" and that's what you've got to do. It's a little tougher at night but it still can be done. Watch where his head is moving. If it's looking back and forth a few times he's coming over. Look to see if you can spot a map or if he's looking at the GPS. If the wife or passenger is looking at a map, beware. See if they are out of state. Sometimes this may be a little tricky if you're around a military base. Is his vehicle speeding up and slowing down? Is there another vehicle riding his bumper? You can do all of this in a split second after you've done it awhile. And you'll want to make sure he sees you. It's all under defensive driving and after the incident is over you just go on and keep your cool. No need to get upset. I would play a game and try to predict better the next time.
     
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  8. drdoc

    drdoc Bobtail Member

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    I'm still a fairly new driver, but if I had a nickel for every time some arsehat has cut me off, I would be Bill freaking Gates! Every time, a vehicle passes by me on my left or right, I always try to prepare for, in case they decide to cut me off.

    A couple of days ago, I driving and about to change lanes to enter a cloverleaf. I had my right turn signal on, double checked to see if the lane was clear and was just about to head over when this blue pick-up screams by me on my right, cuts right in front, then hits the brakes. The instructor that I was with livid, and laid on the horn and shook his finger at him.

    "Welcome to being a truck driver," he eventually said.
     
  9. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Yep, that's about it.
     
  10. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    I'm sorry but I believe you drivers have got it wrong in my opinion. You know you're going to get cut off then you should anticipate it. The instructor should have talked it over with the driver instead of blowing the horn and waving his finger. He could have discussed what would have been the best move for the driver. After all he is the "trainer" right? I guess I'm in a different world hauling gasoline. But it's alot nicer to have a record with no accidents on it even if any of the accidents were the other drivers fault.
     
    tinytim Thanks this.
  11. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Then the fun REALLY starts!



    Many times a day...




    Go to their house and kill them before they back out of the driveway...




    Expect everyone aroud you to do the dumbest possible thing...That Includes other truck drivers.


    Sometimes, But don't count on it. The cops will almost always go out of their to try to blame the trucker...Get a Dash Cam
     
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