Situational Awareness

Very good scenarios to consider. Particularly the second video. On Wednesday morning I was fueling at the Pilot in Mebane NC about 3am. I was holding the nozzle and filling the driver side tank. I then observed a homeless man approaching me from behind. He was moving between me and the rig in the next island over. I was trapped between the the two trucks and he was moving in from behind. I was blocked. I then told him to get away from me and the truck. I told him do not come any closer. He stopped and said what's your problem. I told him again to get away from me and the truck asap. He turned around and left. When I finished I pulled up secured my truck and went into the Pilot to wash my hands and take a piss. When I left he was outside the door. He apologized and I gave him a couple bucks. I told him don't ever approach a driver like that again. If you corner the wrong driver your going to get in serious trouble. He thanked me and moved on.

As a rule I always try to fuel during the day. However I wanted to fill up in the event we lost power during the hurricane. Always have to be alert.

 

1st scenario: Brake lights seem to be on for a while (looks like the 3rd brake light is on). I probably would have just shifted to left lane and continued on. If I had to be in that lane I'd have probably hung back a ways. If the camera car was rear-ended and pushed into stupid's car, camera car would be at fault as well.

Scenario 2: You can tell that guy is up to something. The way he walks is just not quite normal. I'd probably be getting ready to be on the defensive, either run/dodge the attack or fight back.

Scenario 3: This one's a bit tougher. I have been in a scenario similar to that. I was aware of the fire but was told it was "near" the town, not in it. Rather than drive right through like everyone else I opted to take a side road. That put 4 lanes of traffic, a median, a frontage road and a line of businesses with parking lots between me and the fire. In the thick smoke I switched on every single light on my truck. I wanted to make myself as visible as possible to other road users to avoid being hit.

Scenario 4: I'd probably try and keep the truck moving fast enough to prevent someone from jumping aboard.

 

I think the guy in the first video knew about the stoppage ahead of the other drivers. Thats why he was slowing down.

Ive done that myself and people get pissed off, race around me then have to stop.

Its actually a safety move because you slow down traffic which prevents them from rear ending you plus you keep a distance and dont hit anyone.

 

You mean I can't click my heels three times and the Diesel Fairy will show up with 50 gallons?

 

On a more serious note, this has been what I have been talking with my guy about all week long.

Look ahead and see the brake lights.

Look behind and see the 4 wheeler hammering down to the merge point.

Look to the right and estimate where traffic will be coming off the ramp.

Look and plan where you need to be to put the trailer where it needs to be.

Watch your hos, understand how much time you have and how long it will take to do the things you need to do.

He is starting to get that driving is not what is happening RIGHT NOW, but rather what WILL happen, and how you can shape events to fit your needs and wanrs.

 

Uranus is owned by the Molepeople, and they don't play around. Mars used to be a paradise until the Gnomes made a play for it. The Molepeople nuked the ice caps and vaporized the atmosphere.