Should I have been better prepared for this?

I travel through the same stupid 4-wheeler-created backups every week, the FIRST thing I assume is they will be doing stupid things to shave a few seconds off their commute. When the lane next to me slows, I slow too. Yeah, it will annoy the crap out of those behind me, but I have yet to bend metal or flat spot my tires. It is sad, but you have to be prepared for them to do the dumbest thing possible if it will shave a second or two off their commute.

 

Windsmith... invest a little money in a Smith System class.

 

but that would mean he has to fall in line and do the normal thing we all did.

 

IMO, there's a lot of benefit to riding with a more experienced driver for awhile - even if towards the end of the apprenticeship its more of a team driving operation. Isn't this what all the "veteran drivers" were calling for a few years ago, because putting folks with just CDL school experience out on the road is rather dangerous?

You can see it in the OPs attitude - I don't give a #### about what I need, I'm just going to do what I want to. Frankly, IMO, if he continues to drive with the attitude that he doesn't need to be much more conservative in his approach to traffic and road conditions, we'll be reading about an unfortunate incident that is career-ending for him. I honestly hope that doesn't happen.

 

or more likely it could bury you. If there is an accident and that is in your truck the police can confiscate it for evidence, then prosecutors as well as civil attorneys get to see it. They can watch ALL the video recorded, just a few slip ups can prove you are not paying attention...verdict, guilty.

 

When driving just assume that every 4 wheeler out there has 1 goal and that is to get in an accident with you so they can sue you and your company. Then don't let it happen. The smith system works well in this regard.

When I learned to drive motorcycle my daddy taught me that when on the bike just assume everyone else out there has the goal of killing you. It keeps your head on a swivel and you learn to pick up the little details and clues..Things like a car parked at a curb with it's tires pointing out into the road, a car that cannot maintain speed (cellphone), a carload of children (with mom screaming 'don't make me pull over'), plus the afore mentioned rental trucks as well as campers to a lessor degree. There are clues out there you just need the experience to know what to look for.

 

I think we had this discussion before, but I will say it again. Why aren't you using the right lanes? You aren't passing anyone. Oh yeah, merging traffic. If you can't adjust your speed to be safe from merging traffic, you have poor road observation skills. You do realize when the car encroached into your lane you did the same to the car on your left? If you had been in the proper lane you would have seen the two cars fighting to merge and just slowed down to watch the fun. You have accomplished something I have never done...locked up your brakes on the interstate.

Ok, I'm ready for my bashing now.

 

Oh but those rambos do complain fiercely for being legal when they want to zip by at 5 or 10 over!

Selective enforcement of the laws by them. They want you to obey the "Slower traffic keep right" signs all the while they are ignoring the speed limit signs!

Mikeeee