Do you really need to pass?

Some people can't comprehend the fact your are slowing only AFTER they have began the passing maneuver and moved into the passing lane. For some, you have to draw a picture for them to comprehend the discussion.

I do this too when being passed and when it's called for [maintain speed until it's time, then reduce speed] to make the maneuver as quick and painless as possible for all concerned. The idea to some that this simple action is too much of an imposition is just stupid.

 

I'll stand with this man on his use of the Jake to knock a bit off the speed where useful. You can always get back on the hammer. It's the least amount of labor to slow down by lifting the hammer and kicking the jacobs going. The decel is also predictable, although I never thought it that way. The service brakes are there, ready to go if necessary and if you got into them deep enough there is ABS. Believe it or not ABS has been the one improvement to trucking that I found very valuable when there is no time to engage in the old school stab braking.

 

We do this quite a bit in our car on 67, if you are passing, most likely you are against your governor. We know this and don't mind slowing a bit.

Sometimes you catch up to us over the limit, you can go on bye bye see you when the bear gets you.

There is always like a dozen people who do not drive as we do. They are the ones who get in the way on purpose. It's a shame.

 

Then there's the REALLY old fashioned way of being courteous, using the CB. When I drove a 62 mph truck for Swift I was on US-54 the Panhandle of Texas one night, a road I drove regularly at night on a dedicated run and knew like the back of my hand. I faster truck came up behind me and creeped over to have a look and came back behind me because there was oncoming traffic.

"Eastbound on 54 following Swift, you have your ears on?"

"Yes I do."

"There's a good straightaway in about two miles. I'll peddle as fast as Swift let's me until we get there."

"Thanks."

After I helped him get a safe pass he thanked me. That's on a two lane highway. How about using your CB on freeways to coordinate your passes, ESPECIALLY if you are going to pass an oversized load? Channel 19 is used by the pilot cars to help that out. Sometimes I see some really idiot passes by fellow "professional drivers" getting beside a wide load on a narrow bridge on a CURVE. I mean, at WHAT POINT does your brain actually begin to engage?

 

There was a time that CB was handy. It's not so much handy anymore.

Regardless we had it on but low. But there was a time long ago that radio allowed you to do things with information passed down that normally would not happen.

 

Sad to say I run most of the time without it turned on these days. Idiots use it as a source of fun instead of information and courtesy. As soon as I can find out why the CB keeps blowing a fuse in the truck I just purchased I'm going to feel a tad better with winter starting to get serious.

 

i get slowing down on 2 lane roads. i was assuming your description of a 4 lane road since you singled out double yellows in the next paragraph. i agree 100% on slowing down to let others pass in that 2 lane scenario. i do the same.

as far as trying to correct other people's driving..? no. you aren't the traffic god. your childish games may have worked for that 500,000 miles you've driven thus far, but it will happen. you'll play uncle obama of the highway and whoever you're trying to correct will defy further and you'll both be in a pickle. i hope no one gets hurt because you both will be at fault. these are public highways, not game rooms. if you want to manage traffic you're in the wrong business.

 

Your fuse allows a certain amount of power.

If your radio is drawing more than that fuse will let you no wonder it blows.

Did you put alot of stuff onto that radio?

Did you put in a fuse not rated in amps for that particular CB Circut?

Did you short the fuse right away by hooking up your two power wires the wrong way around?

Just a set of questions to get you started.

 

My take....it's not a speed issue, it's geography. Time and proximity have a way of colliding. Just sayin'.