How safe is it out there on the road?

Worst I had was bullets flying over the truck as I unloaded a load of gasoline. I told the boss and he put the station on daylight delivery only. Then a couple of months later a guy walked into that station and shot dead 2 clerks. We go to the worst places you can imagine because there's gas stations there. You have to pratice being safe.
Avoidance is the best weapon out there.

 

I was shot at one time out in LA. had the bullet hole in the fender, side of hood to proove it.

Never had a gun pulled on me but I've pulled one a few times.

 

I just can't agree with this statement. Yeah, I do believe that things happen that we can't avoid. But I believe that you can prevent most situations, by using your head. If you don't give a situation a chance to develop, then you don't have a situation.

Keep your mind on what is going on around you, and keep your eyes open. Common sense is the best weapon that you have. If you have it. If you don't have it, then sooner or later, you are gonna have a problem.

Yeah, there are some places that it really sucks to have to go into. Until your post, I'd never really considered the type of areas a tanker yanker has to deal with.

As you say, avoidance is best. But if you can't avoid it, then at least mitigate it.

 

Does any one know about another trucker besides my brother-in law that was knocked out by spraying ether or something like that in the cabs fresh air inlet then robbed while they were out in the sleeper.

 

When I was in my first year of driving I spent the night in a parking area a receiver directed me to when they turned me away from delivering early. All I can remember is that I was in Pontiac, MI delivering to a KMart Dist. Ctr. The lot was behind a convenient store/gas station a few blocks up the street.

Just before closing my curtains, I saw three guys run across the street in front of my truck. Two seconds later, 5 or 6 guys were running after them with guns blazing. About 3 minutes later there were more cops there than I've ever seen at one place at the same time. I finally fell asleep, with the curtains open, and woke up about 5 hours later to discover two cops were still there investigating the scene and a chalk outline on the far side of the street.

Call me crazy, but I sort of took the "lightening won't strike twice" approach to that situation and actually slept pretty good that night.

 

that would be a little scary...sure wish i had someone stalkin' me

i always mind my own business. I'll be polite at truck stops, but if i feel i'm in a bad part of town, i'll sleep with my Louisville Slugger...not to mention a paintball marker works wonders....crank it up to 300fps, shoot em in the frank and beans....gets the point across pretty quick. =)

 

i can agree with this to a point. Like the Don said, you can let a situation develop into a serious problem, or not. If you think you're in a bad part of town......MOVE. Why some drivers think they NEED to park their truck 2 miles from their drop, because they are too lazy to do their homework and look for a rest area or truck stop. Not saying all rest areas and truck stops are safe, but you CAN use your street smarts, and not do anything stupid. I ever pull into a truck stop at night, i dont leave my laptop blazin' so everybody in the whole parking lot knows i got a laptop. And before i do my post trip, i shut the curtains, along with a couple stickers that say "team operated" on the sides of my truck. maybe atleast giving the impression i'm not 'alone', will keep someone from messin' with me.