Only logged 19 drive hours in school so far. Is it normal to be afraid of the truck?

Here is a rule I live by.. If I ever get in that truck and I am not afraid of it.. I need to get out of it. Here is what I mean.. If I ever get in that truck and I am 100% sure I am going to walk away from it.. throw the keys on the dash and go bag groceries.. You are smart to respect it.. and Bullet15 is right in theory you have the right of way.. but remember if you hit a car that is merging in to your lane you will have a preventable accident on your record, but conversly if you hit a car while switching lanes you will have an at fault preventable. so it can be your problem really quick when you decide to give up a lane make #### sure you are not in the wrong.. also don't run over that car merging that may be someones wife in that car who didn't see you in glare from the sun and lawyers love to get truckers even when they are right.. Just look at the billboards.

 

Getting hit by a car that fails to yield. is NOT a preventable. That doesn't mean to go ahead and wreck though.

OP, it's good that you are nervous. It will keep you on your toes.

 

I agree.

Here is something to try. Find a truck going slower than 62 and give yourself a 3 second distance. Now.. watch how many passing trucks merge in front of you without noticing the truck you are following is going the same speed. So many people just don't pay attention.

 

I hope you never get behind an ole time..You will be in the ditch.. In fact if you are on my bumper that close you will be in a lot of trouble

 

It is preventable.. it isn't at fault. .. You won't get a ticket but you will have a preventable on your record.. Know a couple of guys this happened to they thought it was funny that the "idiot" didn't yeild.. they didn't when they got the letter in the mail about it.. (they ran teams)..

Just go sit in on a defensive driving class.. they will tell you a yield sign ins't a sure thing.. you should always assume they won't yeild.. and god forbid you cross that white line when some doesn't yeild.. then you are at fault.. if you cross either one.. It is way to risky to chance for me.. If I can get over I will.. If I have to slow down to have a safe trip I will.. and accident on your record is an accident.. NP P AFP... All companies see them and they pass a lot of times.

 

But he has intense skills

 

Yeah he can explain that to the wrecker.. another super trucker waiting for a pine box..
I have intense common sense and don't believe I won't to get behind Billy Bob when he has a had a bad day... All he has to do is lock his brakes up and say a deer ran out in front of him and it is over for the guy behind him... literally...Nic should go ask his safety man about it.. he has intense skills too..

 

lol, tailgating requires a strong faith in something I'm sure not aware of.

 

Preventable and defensive driving go hand in hand. I think we all can learn to operate a truck well, but driving safely and with courtesy to others on the road is more of a personality trait. I see it everyday, people that drive with no clue or consideration for others. Sad!

 

More and more trucks are getting Active Braking that will automatically apply the brakes for silly things. Beware.