Did I do the right thing?

Perhaps that question pertains to you also?
Ahutchi1 came here with questions about an incident, looking, I suspect, for information that would help that driver become better at identifying a hazardous situation. I'd venture to say most 4-wheeler drivers wouldn't take the time to learn, and just blame the truck driver instead.

By coming here seeking advice, I'd think Ahutchi1 could receive an education by learning from what may have been the poster's mistake, or the truck driver's --- or a combination of both.

"Gloating"?!
Asking for opinions and/or advice is "gloating"?

Did you mean to type "unwilling" or unwittingly?
Either way, I think "unwilling" fits best. I doubt Ahutchi1 did it intentionally.

That's your opinion, and you might be correct. But when a truck driver doesn't indicate their intent to change lanes while that truck driver is also in a lane that can take the next exit, wouldn't it be prudent for that truck driver to signal their intent sooner, rather than wait until the last moment, then signal AND move over at the same time?
Had Ahutchi1 been aware of the truck driver's intention of moving over sooner, my bet is that Ahutchi1 would have handled the situation differently.

By the way Ahutchi1 described the incident, the poster DID enter the roadway safely --- just didn't anticipate that the truck driver intended to change lanes, but rather continue in that lane and take the next exit.
I see possible errors from both drivers, but the truck driver SHOULD have signaled their intentions sooner, IMO. And Ahutchi1 should have anticipated the truck driver might want to change lanes.

In any case, I think Ahutchi1 learned something that day. And I don't think the poster should be criticized for asking us what went wrong. That shows a desire to learn.
Who here hasn't made mistakes and learned from them?

 

Aftershock, I am looking at this through the eyes of the driver of the semi who did nothing wrong. There is absolutely no good reason to cut off a semi, EVER! I believe the poster should have slowed down and yeilded to the straight truck, instead of taking an extremely risky move like he did. Look at what my signature says. It explains it all. That was a stupid move and I believe that the poster knows it or he wouldn't have even bothered to look up this forum and post this thread.

Am I glad that he wants to be educated? Absolutely, and more people should want to be.

As far as the unwilling part, I also use that on behalf of the semi. He wasn't doing anything but driving down the road. If the poster would've misjudged and hooked the bumper, or worse yet, gotten into the steer tire on the big truck, we'd all be reading about this in the "Truck Accidents" thread.

The bottom line is, the poster came here asking for opinions, I presented mine. Is there any good reason that my opinion should be singled out from all of the others and disected and ridiculed? It is MY OPINION. I would've had a stronger one for him if I would have been one of the truck drivers. But, I wasn't and we are only getting one side of the story. Did the straight truck actually have his indicator on when he was coming up the ramp and the poster just didn't see it (i.e. he was distracted). We'll probably never know.

All I can say is, I feel how I feel about it. If that offends anyone here, I am truly sorry, but after all, it is my opinion based on the facts presented.

 

"Ridiculed"?!
Hardly.
The only reason I responded to your post was because it was the latest post in the thread. Nothing personal.
"Disected"?
That's just my way of responding to posts.
Again, nothing personal.

I realize that.
You presented your opinion and I presented mine.

I'm certainly not "offended".
But it seems you are.
We may have differing opinions, but so what? Aren't we all entitled to our own opinions?

 

You know what Shock? I like you and I always have. I truly enjoy reading your posts (I believe that "After dinner mint" story was the best so far), but I think we will have to agree to disagree about this one. What do ya think?

P.s. I'm not offended, just wanted to make my position clear, ya know?

 

What?

I'm flattered!
Thanx.
The feeling is mutual.

And I, your's.

YeAH!
It's hard to mess up a story about her. Although her dad, AfterProfit thinks she's a pistol.

I can live with that. I don't require that folks always agree with me for us to be friends. In fact, I like differing opinions. It keeps me on my toes and helps me see things from a different perspective. I appreciate that.
Yes I do.

10-4!
I read you loud and clear.
Thanx for allowing me to explain my position.
And thanx for understanding, amigo.

 

I think I kinda agree with the ElectricOne. As described, the only one in the story without at least some degree of fault would be the 18-wheeler in the next lane over.

Yah, I know- I advocate the stand that "a turn signal on a big rig is NOT a request" - but A) it wasn't a big rig using the signal, and B ) a signal is used to indicate intent, not to explain what a driver is doing right this instant.

I see that far, far too often. Driver flashes his turn signal and starts his move at the same time- or worse, starts his move, and half way into the next lane flashes his signal a few times.

I cry "Unprofessional" at that