Close Calls

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by tinytim, Sep 5, 2014.

  1. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Assertive defensive driving is the key to prevent being forced to take evasive action. Following distance and staying out of the pack.

    That being said, I've had a few close ones - but when I looked back, there was always a preventative measure or choice preceding the event that would have been beneficial.

    Be careful! So far - 10 years without a wreck, luck or technique, I'll never know.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2014
    tinytim and "semi" retired Thank this.
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  3. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    semi retired pretty good advice. still like your truck,yours and marmonmans are my two favorite trucks on the web site. b safe out there
     
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  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi bandg, that's true, an old timer (older than me,gasp) told me once, "Stay away from the pack, they'll only get you into trouble". And to this day, I'll see a truck or 2 or 5, all clumped up in a pack of 4 wheelers, and thinking, how stupid can you be, especially in winter. The thing that really get's me, is in a pileup in winter, and you see 15 trucks all turned around, I don't ever remember that happening years ago. I just don't understand the mindset of a trucker that can be involved in a situation like that.
     
  5. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    South west Missouri
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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4225252]Hi bandg, that's true, an old timer (older than me,gasp) told me once, "Stay away from the pack, they'll only get you into trouble". And to this day, I'll see a truck or 2 or 5, all clumped up in a pack of 4 wheelers, and thinking, how stupid can you be, especially in winter. The thing that really get's me, is in a pileup in winter, and you see 15 trucks all turned around, I don't ever remember that happening years ago. I just don't understand the mindset of a trucker that can be involved in a situation like that.[/QUOTE]

    Without fail - winter time. 10 or so trucks 15 feet off of each others bumper on slick roads . Never understood it.
     
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  6. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4225252]Hi bandg, that's true, an old timer (older than me,gasp) told me once, "Stay away from the pack, they'll only get you into trouble". And to this day, I'll see a truck or 2 or 5, all clumped up in a pack of 4 wheelers, and thinking, how stupid can you be, especially in winter. The thing that really get's me, is in a pileup in winter, and you see 15 trucks all turned around, I don't ever remember that happening years ago. I just don't understand the mindset of a trucker that can be involved in a situation like that.[/QUOTE]

    Boy you got that right! Every time I saw a Cluster (Tr)uck last winter I backed way off and let those idiots go ahead. One bad patch of ice, one lead truck catching a ridge of snow, and the whole group of idiots are in big trouble.

    Let them sort it out and if I feel a need to overtake a particularly slow moving truck or vehicle in snow and ice I'll wait until the Cluster (Tr)uck has gone on ahead and wait until there isn't anyone coming to apply the Anal Remora on me and then I'll pass.
     
  7. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    south english iowa
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    that happens because you get one new driver thinks he knows what he is doing,and the rest follow him because they think he knows what he is doing. years ago you never seen poop like that going on. b safe out there
     
  8. Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    Weed, CA
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    Tiny, I think it goes in cycles. Sometimes you won't see much risk or danger. Some trips are like someone painted a bullseye on your rig. Mostly if a driver makes sure to focus as much of the time as possible, eyes scanning, not speeding or tailgating? Pretty much defensive, safe driving, just like in the books. Drivers complain, and police complain, about phones and texting, but I see truck drivers doing these behaviors all the time. In fact, so many drivers are on the phone that the CB is no longer much of a communication tool. I believe. How safe is that? Dialing, talking, looking at incoming numbers, all distracting actions. In a city or high traffic area, I don't use the phone or CB, I will turn off the satellite, and I really do pay attention as much as I can. It's my responsibility to be as professional as I can be, and I take that seriously. Did you see the article about the woman on Facebook, speeding, hit and killed an elderly woman? I don't want to be that kind of driver, and my rig is a lot heavier than an automobile. I guess I'm trying to respond (kind of got off there a little bit) that you could get into a danger situation any time your wheels are rolling, and the best way to deal with it is to be focused and paying attention as much as you can. My $.02.
     
  9. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Stay out of the pack. Sounds good in theory but isn't that like saying you can drive exactly 11 hours a day and get parking at just the right time?

    I was through Chicago the other day and the whole road was one big pack.
     
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  10. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    That's true, nowadays, especially in a big city, it can't be helped, but you can still leave a distance, and you don't really lose that much time doing so. The reason, it seems, why people don't want to leave any space, is someone will cut in and take advantage of that space, putting you a little farther back. My mindset was, I'd rather be a little farther back, and make it to where I'm going, than try and be first and run into trouble.
    My whole gripe with E-Logs and stupid HOS rules, is they are enacted as if this was perfect world, and don't take into account the problems of the real world. I guess I'm defiant in my old age, but if someone gave me a hard time about running out of hours, or whatever, I'd show them why I went over hours, and if they didn't like it, I'd tell them to cram it.
     
    Lepton1 and hal380 Thank this.
  11. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Thanks guys, you helped me win a bet. :biggrin_255:

    Unfortunately, even though I won a bet I have been reminded that I'm a wuss. So are most of you. lol
     
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