Old timer advice

50% of one, 120% of the other

 

Especially when I am pulling a permitted load, I have turn by turn directions plugged into my Rand McNally GPS and Google Maps. Either or BOTH of them can screw up. In addition to that I have the turn by turn directions written down and taped to the dash. Usually I never have to refer to the dash notes, because by the time I have written then down the route has been memorized.

@Ridgeline is making an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT point with the OP. At all times as a professional driver pulling a semi trailer, you HAVE to be aware of your surroundings. That especially includes other drivers sharing the road with you.

 

That's the new math thingamajig, right?

 

I had a truck merging obviously going slower so I put my blinker on and started to slow down. The truck blocking me slowed down too thinking id speed up I guess. Speeding up in my truck takes time. Eventually he realized and sped up. The poor merging driver was starting on to the shoulder by the time I finally got out of his way. That sucked. I am not sure what I could have done differently... I guess maybe used j brakes but that goes back to braking for mergers. My driving instructor told me dont brake too hard for mergers it's on them not you, you will get rear ended. But that was a truck, he had no choice. Merging just sucks sometimes regardless of which end you are on.

 

but he was a green horn, newbie , wanna be, baby huey, Ha, Ha, Ha

 

True all that.

I think the key is to signal your intent early. The overtaking trucker in the hammer lane could have slowed quickly to your speed AND flashed or turned off his headlights to let you know early that he intended to help you get over.

Perhaps you could have slowed more dramatically early to commit that hammer lane trucker to pass you more quickly, allowing you to get over and behind the passing truck earlier.

I have a mantra:

If you want to slow down less, slow down early.

I drive a lot of narrow two lane roads. Often I am following a grain hauler, flatbed, or tanker. It's never a good idea to tailgate in that situation. Those truckers might realize at the last second they need to make a turn onto a dirt road that might feature a cattle guard with a foot deep trench. They HAVE to take that turn slow. If I am on their ###, then I have to get into low range to pull that 7% grade, but if I am already well behind them I can comfortably and safely stay in high range and take that hill at a reasonable speed.

 

absopossible.....!!!!!

 

I might have been able to realize earlier, I am not sure now, it was a while ago. I am in a governed truck so i can only slow. I still have my instructors voice in my head from my road test. "Don't slow down too much for mergers, it's on them to get over. You are going to get rear ended."

But like me both know... Trucks have no choice. I think my truck was blocking the merging lane. So the over taking trucker didnt realize what was happening.

 

3 lanes yesterday and a Schneider parked in the middle. I go around on the right and almost clear him when we hit an on ramp and of course another semi. I'm rolling so I put my signal on. There is nothing in the outside lane but it's not for trucks (I use them if the situation calls for it). He gets the idea and moves and so do I. New guy gets in and we all lived happily ever after. Just need some co-operation. Not to brag, but if I'm in the middle and see this developing, I go ahead and move. The good drivers know what's happening and respond.

 

That's the concept in a nutshell. Be aware of what's developing and help out other drivers on the road, especially other 18+ wheelers.