making a right turn

dalejr8fan · Mar 28, 2007

wallbanger said: ↑

There is a VERY fine line between assertive and aggressive. And yes, I too use the lane check method when absolutely needed. The biggest danger in being assertive is that it can quickly turn into aggression,leading to a sense of entitlement, and then everyone must get out of your way, including other trucks. What follows is tailgating, pushing cars, etc. and we all know how dangerous those habits are.

An example: today on the PA turnpike, I found myself having to deal with an extra annoying 4-wheeler. It seems he must have been loaded very heavy, because on every grade, he would slow down to 60-62. So me, in my 65 mph truck, would pull out to pass, only to have said idiot speed up (or crest the grade and pickup speed on the downgrade) and run right next to me( i was MT). So I backed out of it and jumped in behind him. After having this happen more times than I care to count, I was really getting steamed. And I found myself ready to push him, or lane check him (or just plain check him off the road). But I realized that I am the professional driver, and must adjust my driving to make my life easier. So I backed the cruise down to 63 and low and behold, no more annoying 4-wheeler. He ultimately PO'd another driver by puuling the same stunt, said driver was not very understanding- he did a lane check and almost ran him off the Beaver River bridge.
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i have not been to orientation yet nor have a company truck yet but i understand what you are talking about just from driving the school trucks around tampa florida. people are crazy and i want to get mad but i tell myself dont stoop to their level. i used to be the guy you just explained. but now since i graduated school and drove a semi on the road man let me tell you i have nothing but pure respect for the driver of an 18 wheeler. as soon as his turn signal light comes on im letting him know its ok to go where you want. it sucked my 1st time when i put my signal on and a whole slew of 4 wheelers were like forget you and blew by me or even worse just cruised beside my trailer. i would like to see anybody who holds or is trying to obtain a class e license go through a mandatory corse to see how an 18 wheeler is drove. maybe an hour long video and a hour long ride along with a professional driver. i bet then maybe a big maybe they would give us a little bit more respect

wallbanger · Mar 28, 2007

You know it sounds great, but bottom line is, it won't happen.

All we can do is BE A PROFESSIONAL ALWAYS, especially when you'd like nothing more than to unleash 80k on some little POS car and its moronic driver.

dalejr8fan · Mar 28, 2007

wallbanger said: ↑

You know it sounds great, but bottom line is, it won't happen.

All we can do is BE A PROFESSIONAL ALWAYS, especially when you'd like nothing more than to unleash 80k on some little POS car and its moronic driver.
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yeah it would be nice to get a break. lol 80,000 pounds of fury still wouldnt get the point across to a 4 wheeler. freakin idiots out there.

truckermario · Mar 28, 2007

My trainers also told me about the lane splitting method, and I've used this several times in really small intersections.

Cerberus101 · Mar 28, 2007

fredthebob said: ↑

First thing I learned about driving enormous vehicles, driving swing on small film sets in L.A.; a more experienced driver told me, just go for it, they will move, they think they have no choice. I stopped being intimidated by my own truck after that.

Now I was frustrated by little cars not letting me get into their lanes, but the same thinking still applies. He said that I should just start to drift on over. The cars will either change lanes or slow down to avoid getting hit by truck ten times bigger than their car.

You know you have to share the roads with everyone else, so do I, but they don't know that. I have never been rude or driven dangerous, never given anyone the finger; but if I have the biggest rig, I have earned the right to be assertive. No?
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sounds like you have a serious control issue here. kinda like the big boy on the block syndrom. if i'm in that little 4 wheeler your trying to intimidate you just might get a surprise. driving a big rig is not a right it is a privlidge and your taking it for granted. with that attitude you have your looking at a short driving career and maybe some trouble down the road.

bandit24 · Mar 28, 2007

I have been in that situation a few times. Luckily I knew the town i was in and the streets. I was unable, during rush hour manage my turn without hassles, so I tried another idea. I drove straight on through the light then went around the block to the left. Hmmm! Ended up making 3 lefts and lo & behold, I was back at the same light heading straight through it..... No Problems. Won't work in ALL situations though.

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making a right turn

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