Back off Jack...

Grasshopper, Back off and let the stupid flow around you.

 

I discarded the smith system in favor of 4 options. A,B C or D. Similar to a military situation or even Chess. Chances are, the stupid move someone is pulling in front of me, Ive already rehearsed it provided there is time and quiet prior to the act pulled by the idiot driver. Working around, taking action, avoiding or even allowing impact depending on the overall situation.

To be with me is to endure a constant stream of plan B's And sometimes I don't even fall to B Im already doing something totally different. If need be.

Example the westbound 401 video. There were two vehicles, one white one black. Both of them displayed I gotta go behavior and rode up on each others bumper as well as the bunper of the car in front of the black when traffic got tight. They kept sort of testing the angle to see if they could go ahead and move left into the Center being glided by the jersey slow speed crawling semi from which the video is taken. The Semi is wise never to let more than a certain amount of slack appear (Space) in front of him. Otherwise it will vanish instantly.

The last time I did the smith system was under duress in a small Minivan while orienteering for JB Hunt on the evening before being assigned truck next day and sent on the first load. Having 7 Truck Drivers plus instructor sitting in that vehicle criticizing my every move, this lane that lane, this corner that corner this much power that this that this that... Since I was not far from home it was about all I can do to hop out and walk. And let them deal with the stoopid van.;

Im aware about the smith and it works well. I don't have a problem with it. I simply do not use it anymore. What I do use is far faster and is usually determined by the people who make the move themselves, that they have been telegraphing a desire to do so witht his move for some blocks.

There is no distraction, time lost dealing with 7 anklebiters worrying about this and that anymore. You just do. Make the overall situation way better and less tense.

 

This is what I do too, I make a game out of it.
For me it's always can I make through with out ever touching the brakes.
And yes it is kind of a Zen thing. The other thing I tell drivers that will help them is....
You just have to keep reminding yourself that there's nothing you can do about it and it's not going to last forever.

 

Your experience with the Smith System sounds very similar to the way Commentary Driving was taught at Swift during orientation to become a trainer. I voiced my objection that it forced a driver to look at trees instead of the forest. Maybe Commentary Driving is the same thing as the Smith System, but as long as you stay situationally aware at all times you will be ready for anything sudden and will anticipate well in advance any future issues.

When I trained new drivers I had them focus on the big picture. A classic example is approaching an exit and then an on ramp with a truck stop in heavy traffic. Chances are good any merging traffic will be slow moving trucks with a choo-choo train of impatient four wheelers behind them, looking to move over into the hammer lane at slow speed to try to accelerate and pass the truck. Look to see if you are going to be pinned and get into the hammer lane early if possible. If you are going to be pinned then slow down early to save momentum and make it safer and easier for merging traffic.

 

You should get points when cars behind you honk at you for letting traffic merge and bonus points if they pass you and flip you off. Mega bonus multiplier if they try to brake check you but you're going too slow for it to matter.

 

Great topic and probably my biggest frustration with our profession. When I see a big truck aggressively tailgating and bullying traffic, it makes me furious. I've been running I20 from Shreveport to midland and back for the past month and a half and my heart is about ready to give out. I run a 70 mph tanker and I'll have somebody a foot behind me the entire way from Shreveport to Dallas. When I get past forth worth, then I have the 90 mph roaring up behind behind me and passing with only a few few to spare.

One of our drivers was rear ended last month, just east of Abilene, so hard that both axle on the trailer were almost ripped off and the other truck was obliterated all the way back to the sleeper wall.

I started driving at 65 or slower depending on how heavy traffic was and the weirdest thing happened. The tailgating diminished, as did my stress level. I'm not sure why this is.

I 've been reared 3 times, over the course of my career, by other drivers. Luckily no one was hurt as they were minor collisions. But each one was a self proclaimed 30 year veteran O/O.

 

Some of those old videos are a treasure. Takes me right back. I would love to see a young one wrestle a mid 60's 30 foot 4 door barge into a space designated "Compact car parking"

 

Perfectly put poster !