how can a 4 wheeler best help an 18 wheeler?

Seems like there's a little bit of animosity (or is it friendly rivalry like the Steelers/Browns thing?) between truckers and 4 wheelers. Here's this 4 wheeler's perspective:

Whether you truckers like it or not, 4 wheelers are on the same roads as you. Whether we like it or not, you truckers are on the same roads as us. We all however have a vested interest in playing nice. The last thing I need is to get into a wreck with an 18 wheeler, because I could assure you my little kia would lose that fight. I'm not particularly keen on getting into a wreck with another car either. Likewise, the last thing any of you truckers want is to get in a wreck because I realize it does a lot more than just slow you up, but could cause real career and even legal problems. So I think we're on the same page there.

I am also keenly aware of the laws of physics. Those who aren't are a danger to us all. The people who drive like maniacs and cut you off are the same people who try to outrun trains at crossings to save a few minutes, or think that because their car can go 120mph that it can do so around a sharp curve. In other words, idiots. I'm sure most of you will agree that there are idiot truck drivers as well, just as there are idiots in any cross section of the population.

It just seems to me that we're on the same page, at least those of us that think. And those of us who protect our own interests also protect each others. I never tailgate, never merge when it isn't safe and generally drive defensively but courteously. I do so in MY interest (I'd prefer not having to be scraped off the pavement) but at the same time it's also in the interest of every driver I interact with, as they also would prefer to reach their destination without incident.

I'll never forget what my father told me when I first started driving: The laws of physics are indifferent to you. They aren't trying to kill you, but they won't bend for you either. They don't care if you live or die, they are what they are. If more people understood this BASIC concept, I think we'd be in better shape.

Well, that and a little bit of PATIENCE couldn't hurt. I've seen plenty of people risk their lives to get somewhere 10 seconds faster. It's not that complicated and yet it seems to be for some people.

 

I'm sure you can stop a lot quicker than my truck, so if you want to risk your life drafting me, that's on YOU.

In "heavy" traffic all I really want to do is keep moving. If I have to get on the "low side" of the gearbox it's gonna take me forever to get back up to speed. So if I start to drift back a bit in stop & go, It's because I don't want to have a full stop. I can run in creeper gear slower than some automatic 4 wheeler can run at all. So you may see me rolling in stop and go at a mere 1.25 mph.

Do me a favor and don't try to slide in the 2 car lengths between me and the stopped car that's just about to go.

 

dont take 20 minutes to get around a truck

 

If a 4-wheeler chooses to follow too close behind a big truck, then that driver and its occupants are irrelevant to the big-trucks' safety concerns. State MV laws clearly states all vehicles must maintain a safe distance to allow proper braking distance in the event of an emergency. A 4-wheeler who chooses to tailgate or ride a big-trucks vacuum rear draft (to save gas) is a NEGLIGENT driver. Every 4-wheeler who had ever filed a lawsuit after rear-ending a big truck had their lawsuits eventually dismissed as "frivolous" by a court judge.

 

When a four wheeler is unable to keep their vehicle under control, keep their vehicle in their lane for any reason they need to pull off the interstate and wait until they feel it is safe to drive again.
We are told if you think its unsafe to drive pull off the road. In my case it was a four wheeler that I know was falling asleep, but said the wind blew him into my truck.
Stay your distance from all vehicles no matter if its a truck or car. When I first started driving truck I was told by one great trucker/dispatcher to drive alone, don't follow others, I have remembered that and have always kept my distance from other vehicles.
One of the worse things a four wheeler can do is to start to pass a truck and take their time, so many things can happen when a little car is beside a truck.
Stay safe over the road always, Use common sense and if you don't have that pick up a dmv book that tells you how to drive.
You are just one four wheeler that really is interested in how to stay safe, so many other four wheelers could care less and they take that chance and do stupid things.
Sometimes they make it through, sometimes they DIE because of their choices. And, cause others to get hurt or even die.

 

I'll start off by saying that I am not yet a truck driver. I already signed up at my local community college but the grant fell through so I am working on getting the cash to pay for the course. So, yes, I am only a wee little 4 wheeler at this time.

One thing that bothers me in this thread is the arrogance of the truck drivers.

I realize that you guys have had more training and most of the drivers here have had much more driving experience than most 4 wheelers. I also realize that you guys are hauling alot of weight, are on tight time schedules and are just trying to make a living.

But, truck drivers need to SHARE the road. Truck drivers arent the only ones out there on the road. Y'all are expecting us 4 wheelers to share the road and show common courtesy, so why can't y'all do the same thing?

I have had plenty of trucks ride my back bumper. I have had quite a few trucks merge into my lane when they are entering a frwy when I couldnt get over making me hit my brakes hard.

Im in Texas and here trucks can use the left lane (except in a few places). What about the trucks that ride in the left lane and wont move when a 4 wheeler is approaching them? Remember, the state law says the left lane is for passing, so why are you riding it and impeding traffic?

I guess what I am trying to say is that 4 wheelers do alot of stupid things on the road, but the 18 wheelers do alot of stupid things as well...

Lets try to show each other some common courtesy!

 

What training ????????

You'd be surprised nascarchuck..............

 

Oh, I am sure that you are right! But I didnt say that I was taking up for the actions of 4 wheelers though, did I?

Knock it down a level... Hmmm... Did I say something that I shouldnt had? I dont understand why I need to knock it down a level. Maybe you can explain that to me?