starting school

You done good. Not hitting people is kinda the point so I am a little surprised at what your driver trainer said to you. You can be mad, laugh, blow your air horn or shake like a dog pooping razer blades but first you have to avoid the accident and not hurt yourself or the other guy. After the accident is avoided, everything else is gravy.

Sure the guy was a numb nutz and wasn't able to get out of his/her own way but, it is the rule rather than the exception these days. Consider it a job well done and don't spend time being too frustrated by it. This is your first in a never ending line of nearly identical experiences with four wheelers.

 

I have to admit I had no idea sooooo many people acted sooooo stupidly around Big Trucks.

I have always been very courteous and patient with trucks so the lack of basic common sense that I have been witnessing while I'm driving has been an eye opener to say the least!

In the past, I always thought those signs that said "Passing Side" and "Suicide" were silly........ duh.......kinda like rules for dummies...... jokes on me!......... people actually try to put their butts over there....... where do they think they are going to go?? And...... where do they think I am going to go as soon as I start making that turn??!

I am normally a very patient person so it does not upset me .... I just spend a lot of time shaking my head... ... I definitely don't think this is a career for someone with a short fuse.

 

Ditto - I've always seen trucks (not their drivers) as a threat to my well-being. If something goes wrong, that thing can squish me like a bug. Obviously, the thing to do is not be there when the foot comes down.

Ergo, I give them lots of room, and don't (any more) tailgate. Now that I have my CDL, I'm more aware than ever of their limitations - so I give them MORE room.

Others.. well, let's just say they are so busy worrying about <whatever> that they're not really paying attention to what's on the road with them. And, sad to say, cell phones are a big issue. I used to be against the anti-cellphone laws, but I changed my mind before I ever went to CDL school. Using a cellphone while driving is more dangerous than driving with a BAC of .04.