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Hard Right???

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Samantha82580, Aug 4, 2008.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Aug 4, 2008 #1
    Samantha82580

    Samantha82580 Medium Load Member

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    Jul 27, 2008
    Dahlonega, Georgia
    0
    Ok, first of all I am NOT the newbie, however, my hubby is.

    He has been with his mentor for only 3 weeks now and was in training with Swift before that.

    So here is my question: IS IT A GENERAL RULE TO CUT A HARD RIGHT IF A CAR APPROACHES YOU IN YOUR LANE HEAD ON? ALSO, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

    My hubby told me this and I almost fell over dead! He went to training in Phoenix, mostly flatland. We live in the foothills of the Appalachians in North Georgia, he will eventually be driving OTR (lower 48) so I know there will be times when he will be on mountain sides/hills sides. I could understand the hard right theory in the Plains area however I could not see me cutting a hard right and going off a cliff where I am almost assured death.

    We actually argued over this and I told him....ALWAYS BE AWARE AND THINK AHEAD. KNOW THE POSSIBILITIES AND WHAT YOU WOULD DO. Then I said, no you cut right if its safe for YOU...chances are a truck driver will survive a head on impact with a "4 wheeler" so if its NOT safe for YOU then you hold your lane. What is right and what are your thoughts.

    BTW, recent research supports that cars are made to be impacted in certain areas.....a person in a car has a more chance of surviving in a head on versus a hit coming diagnally (right front/left front.) Of course...I always give the *big riggers* their way as I value my life and know that yall stand much greater than us 4 wheelers. ;-)

    Also, I was reading in another thread that most drivers would rather hit a deer and have proof then to veer off and total the truck with no proof...this also supports my stance in the hold your lane theory. And to try to explain to your company that you just totalled your truck because you swerved to miss a car coming at you head on would be difficult if there was no contact, resulting in corrective action taken on you....possibly ruining you.


    Thankies in advance,
    ~Samantha~
    aka Fred
     
    Samantha82580, Aug 4, 2008
    Samantha82580, Aug 4, 2008
    #1
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  3. Aug 4, 2008 #2
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    You maintain your lane . Once you leave it you are at fault . Cutting hard right (or left) will probably cause you to lose control . In an instant situation like that you don't have time to evaluate what is to the right . Suppose an oncoming vehicle wanders to your lane , then corrects to its own lane as you swerve right ? You wreck and he goes on .
     
    RickG, Aug 4, 2008
    RickG, Aug 4, 2008
    #2
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  4. Aug 4, 2008 #3
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

    6,257
    4,365
    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
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    There's an old joke like that. What would I do? I'd wake up my co-driver because he's never seen an accident we're about to have! RickG is right.
     
    GasHauler, Aug 4, 2008
    GasHauler, Aug 4, 2008
    #3
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  5. Aug 4, 2008 #4
    jash369

    jash369 Medium Load Member

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    120
    Dec 4, 2007
    roslyn,pa
    0
    Agreed..............

    When trying to swerve that will cause the loss of control on the truck drivers part. the car especially can regain control alot easier.
     
    jash369, Aug 4, 2008
    jash369, Aug 4, 2008
    #4
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  7. Aug 4, 2008 #5
    ParkRanger

    ParkRanger Light Load Member

    219
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    Aug 4, 2008
    Raleigh, NC
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    My wife likes to swerve to avoid squirrels. I've told her that the car (and her) are a lot more important than any squirrel. I think if you obey the law, you have your best chance. Hit the horn!
     
    ParkRanger, Aug 4, 2008
    ParkRanger, Aug 4, 2008
    #5
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  8. Aug 4, 2008 #6
    Moose1944

    Moose1944 Light Load Member

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    Jul 7, 2008
    Lonoke, Arkansas
    0
    We were taught in training school to never swerve for anything. We have a much bigger chance of losing total control and killing somebody if we swerve, rather than hitting something head on. If a car is in my lane heading my way, I will do whatever I can to get their attention, and I will do a lot of praying, and I will probably wet my pants if it gets close, but, I will not swerve.
     
    Moose1944, Aug 4, 2008
    Moose1944, Aug 4, 2008
    #6
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  9. Aug 4, 2008 #7
    lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

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    Jun 28, 2007
    Home of the Stampede
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    I never swerve either ... although I may re-think that for the next midnight skunk encounter. :biggrin_2556:
     
    lostNfound, Aug 4, 2008
    lostNfound, Aug 4, 2008
    #7
  10. Aug 5, 2008 #8
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    It would be a tough call if some idiot with a couple of kids in the back seat cut right in front of you then locked up on the brakes . I know of a driver that swerved off a bridge and died because of that type situation . Being right doesn't make being part of a fatal accident any easier .
     
    RickG, Aug 5, 2008
    RickG, Aug 5, 2008
    #8
  11. Aug 5, 2008 #9
    boxkicker

    boxkicker Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jul 10, 2008
    new have , ky
    0
    I read as many posts in here I can from veteran drivers and I appreciate the pros and cons of the industry. I have no life can care less if I am out for two months at a time before i go home. I am divorced and my kids are grown.ALL I want to do is drive trucks nad have wanted to for years. My blo0d pressure even with meds is high. Is it gonna be completely impossible to get hired for having bp that can run 150/90 at times with meds??? I know newbies are pond scum and have to be proven or else. The SWIFTS and the SCHNEIDERS must do something right or NO drivers would ever be there. I think if I ever get to drive that would be my destiny for awhile I fear (because of my BP). suggestions...........?
     
    boxkicker, Aug 5, 2008
    boxkicker, Aug 5, 2008
    #9
  12. Aug 5, 2008 #10
    18wheeldumptrucker

    18wheeldumptrucker "Buckeye Bucket"

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    Apr 1, 2008
    Sullivan, Ohio
    0
    I absolutely refuse to move for anything in my lane. I'll try to stop, but I'm not swerving. Not very many years ago, not too far from where I live, there was a driver that swerved to avoid an elderly couple that pulled out in front of him. He lost control and crashed into a house. The driver was killed and noone else was injured. The elderly couple tried to blame the truck driver for the accident, but witnesses stated otherwise. I determined from that point that it's going to be them or me, I choose me. I'm going to go home to my wife and kids. If they leave there lane for whatever reason, that's not going to be my problem. That sounds rough, I know and I'm sorry for that, it's just how I feel.
     
    18wheeldumptrucker, Aug 5, 2008
    18wheeldumptrucker, Aug 5, 2008
    #10
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