Bakken Water Truck Drivers Cutting People Off

I've run through Minot since '07 or so, before the boom anyway... in the last few years since the boom so much trash and losers have been attracted up that way.
You'll go from the guys that are busting ### tailgating you til they can pass to the guys driving 50 mph chasing good mpgs.

Then you get the guys pulling onto a 2 lane from a dirt road that don't want to wait 30 seconds for traffic to pass and pull out in front of you.

It does get old fast.

 

I could say the same for people driving cars, just because it's 65 doesn't mean you have to go 65.

 

Not sure what you mean by that, but I have a small motorhome that I never drive over 60, no matter how high the speed limit is. She's just not designed to go any faster than that, and besides, I like to get decent mileage if possible. So, I just get in the right lane and try to give everyone the space they need to go around me.

That doesn't seem to keep some people from cutting it as close as possible when going around, almost taking my nose off. Or better yet, cutting in front of me, and hitting the brakes. It happens with both cars and trucks. Some of these people must think I'm drivng a sports car or something.

You need to be real careful when driving a MH. They just don't stop or change directions as quickly as other vehicles. Most big trucks have more stopping power that a 23-26 foot MH. Lock your brakes and you end up on your side with your fiberglas spread out all over the highway. And if that happens, probably any passenger that was sitting in the back will be toast.

 

My guess would be that they are paid by the load. So driving like a complete ### is beneficial to their pocket. Kinda like douche swift drivers going full speed through construction. Its a disgrace. But when you have a slow truck and crappy pay you find ways to try to make up for some of it. Certainly doesnt excuse the behavior but it explains it. As long as people keep allowing companies to treat them in such ways you will see horrible driving like this continue to expand all over the country. But give a decade or two and thanks to the bad companies and bad drivers there wont be truck drivers anymore. The mega companies are spending millions on research and development of driver-less trucks. So make your money while you can and ignore the b.s.

 

The worst I've seen are the oil-haulers

 

In the Marcellus, if you work for any of the major players, they're huge sticklers for going 5-10 under posted speed, with Shell being the primary offender. On the other hand, if you run for Cabot, hammer on it!

We are all paid hourly here, its just dependent on the culture at your chosen energy company.

 

As a matter of fact some companies do require trucks to drive below the posted speed limit. Why do you feel compelled to drive the posted limit to start with???? There isn't a road in the ND oil patch that is safe to drive at 65 mph to start with, especially with loaded tankers. And as others have said, this problem isn't remotely limited to water drivers....seems like all traffic on the road has no common sense which is evident when you see the wrecks in the ditches. Then come first snow and all the people who don't have a clue about driving in winter conditions show their skills....

 

Melton wanted flatbedders to go under all posted limits.