4 wheelers: Where is the race?

I always seem to miss the sign that says, 'Slow Trucks Use Center Lane'. Maybe I just went by it too fast. I dunno.

 

Isee it every day, you hear it on the radio(c.b.). we are picking up the me first attidude that the four wheelers have.You have to make the appointment.But I have to ask myself "How late am I going to be if I get a ticket or get in a accident? Its not worth it. Maybe some of our "professional" drivers wouldn't be in such a hurry if they kept the left door closed and didn't stop at every other truck stop they passed! my old truck was goverened to 60,in 80 mph state it was pretty slow,but some of these guys still passed me 4 and five times a day.

 

Oh, I think you're getting it, Ducks. And I know your wondering if bullying four-wheelers is in jest. But, how many Big truck truck drivers have taken evasive action(s) to avoid running over a 4-wheeler, only to be flipped off for their efforts? Where does THAT attitude come from? Do they just view us as being in their way? Or, could it be that combined with what they see and hear on the so-called "special reports" that portray us as "killer trucks"? I wonder..................

IMO, those so called "special reports" have a (not so) hidden agenda, sensationalized by the so called "special interest groups" who haven't a clue. Just a bunch performing knee-jerk reactions, trying to blame ALL Big trucks for isolated incidences. One major crash involving a Big truck truck driver who was tired, or inattentive, and we're ALL guilty, and potential killers who just don't care. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but that's not how it's presented to the general motoring public.

More laws, more rules and more restrictions. Many times, those laws, rules and restrictions are counter-productive. But they jump on the bandwagon with limited knowledge and misinformation, thinking they're going to prevent crashes from happening.

What the so called "special reports" seem to fail to mention is that around 78% of the fatal auto vs Big truck crashes are caused by the automobile drivers. I wonder why they fail to mention that fact? If they did, it MIGHT wake up the automobile drivers, -- if that's really their goal. Safer roads SHOULD be their MAJOR concern, rather than stirring the pot and widening the gap between understanding how and why it's important to KNOW how to share the roads with Big trucks. Seems all they're interested in is ratings. And sensationalizing sells the story, regardless of facts.

Statistics indicate that there are more Big trucks on the roads today, running more miles than ever before, -- and the Big truck safety records are improving every year. Can that be said of the automobile safety records?

And I don't believe the forever expanding Big truck laws, rules and regulations are the reason for the improved safety records to any great extent -- other than vast improvements in the Big truck safety innovations now implemented. I think the new "no-idle" laws are counter-productive. They want well rested Big truck truck drivers for safety reasons, then take away what's necessary to achieve that goal, and think they've accomplished something? Well, they have accomplished SOMEthing, -- just not what they THINK they've accomplished.

When well seasoned, SAFE, Big truck truck drivers call it quits due to all these new laws, rules and regulations, who replaces them? Rookies? Are rookies safer than well seasoned drivers? Does that make sense? What ARE these folks thinking? Or, are they really "thinking" at all?

Folks want what they want to be on the store shelves whenever they want it, but they continue to throw roadblocks in the way of us getting what they want, where they want it WHEN they want it. Then, blame Big trucks when it isn't. Can we even win for losing?

I tell folks who think like that, that if they want to rid the roads of Big trucks, just refuse to purchase ANYthing that was ever shipped by Big trucks, including raw materials. No demand, no need to supply or re-supply. Simple enough.

Of course, when they reach for the toilet paper -- after making a 'deposit', they tend to see the light.
Dad Blasted Big truck truck drivers!
Where's my TP?!

 

I've seen it both ways. I've had 4 wheelers talking on cell phones that slow down when you are behind them and speed back up when you try to pass. I've also had trucks almost run me off the road because the driver wasn't paying attension and almost missed a curve. I almost rear ended a truck one time. I was doing 80 in a 75 and trucks are limited to 65 in that area. I was about 8 feet behind the truck when he pulled out to pass a slower truck.

As a 4 wheeler I generally drive 5 mph over the posted limit but I don't tailgate and I don't pass on the right unless the vehicle I'm tying to pass won't move over. I slow down in congested areas and I don't cut people off when I'm trying to take an exit.

I don't think it's so much the fact that 4 wheelers don't know how big trucks handle, I think it's because they don't care about anybody but themselves. The people who cut off big rigs are the same people that cut off small cars and one day they will get in a wreck while doing something stupid and justice will be served. That's just my opinion.

 

You make some good points, Farva. Especially your comments about a kingdom of self attitude some drivers seem to have. I think some of them would cut-off their own mother.

As to your mentioning of an episode where a Big truck pulled out in front of you to pass another slower truck ahead, -- this is where keen observation on your part might have alerted you that the Big truck was rapidly approaching the slower Big truck, and you might have anticipated that maneuver. I don't know the situation in detail that you described, but even running 5 mph faster than the posted speed limit can cause you to close the distance between you and another slower vehicle needing to pass. If there was heavy, unyielding traffic, it's a matter of taking the opportunity then, or climbing on the binders to avoid running into the rear of the slower Big truck. Braking can cause big problems for those behind the Big truck needing to pass when it checks up -- and could cause a chain reaction behind.

Now, I'm NOT saying that was the case for you, just that it might have been. When a Big truck gets up enough steam to pass, then has to brake, it can cause problems. If the Big truck truck driver had experienced other 4-wheeler drivers not willing to give him/her a brake by letting him/her over, sometimes they gotta do what they gotta do. Might not be the wisest choice, but, then again, it's possible that exceeding the posted speed limit isn't either. Not to mention, speeding is illegal -- just as the lane change might have been. In this case, 5 mph slower on your part, might have made the difference between "almost" and not even close.

Just food for thought.

 

You've got a good point. I'm just glad that everybody came out of it OK. I wasn't so close that I couldn't avoid hitting him. Maybe he new he had enough room to get over and didn't think it would cause a problem. I don't know. When I drive big rigs they are military spec and don't go over 55 mph so I never even get the chance to pass anyone. I just keep experiences like this in the back of my head so I can try to avoid making mistakes when I become a profesional driver later this year.

 

Atta Boy!
I sure can't and won't fault that attitude.
And I'm glad you didn't take my post to you the wrong way. My objective is merely to stagger the thought process in an effort for others to consider all angles and possibilities in hopes they'll better understand and become safer drivers, no matter WHAT they drive. Safety is NO accident.

Keep us posted on your Big truck truck driving hopes?
Sounds like we need more like YOU out there.

 

i havent been in a truck with my husband for awhile now but i can tell you i that after seeing half the crap i did while i was out there makes me even more afraid to be around trucks with other 4 wheelers around. i have never been one to "race" a semi. i know they are much bigger than me and it could hurt but ever since i have been in the truck i just try to stay as far away has possible...not trying to make it sound like i am afraid of truckdrivers, it the stupid people driving the 4wheelers around the semis that i am woried about. i respect you guys a lot and i do agree that everyone should have to ride in a truck for one day, maybe i wouldnt have to worry about my husband as much as i do right now.

everybody stay safe and good luck.