What are some good offensive driver techniques?

In the city. I never drive the right lane freeway. Too much merging. They don’t like it? It’s because of their driving that I do.

 

turning right on a green turn arrow if you must cross into the lane with on coming traffic ( they have a green light ) they have the right of way ...... was just in a traffic jam caused by someone who didn't know that

 

Good offensive driver techniques? There are none when driving a commercial vehicle.

 

since i drive by night, and there really isn't as much traffic along my route, i do not hammer down. i set the cruise at or about 60 most nights. when there is some traffic due to construction, or its a friday night, i drive a bit slower, and i leave more room than the normal.

since it is a route run, and i know where i am going, there is no need for me to check my GPS, or atlas.

i am never late, and if i were to be late...there is no one at the warehouses, as we have the keys and alarm codes, so no one to scream at us that we are late...lol.

just keep it slower than the others, but not so much as to disrupt the flow of traffic, and IF YOU CAN, leave more space in front of you, and yes, get a dash cam, to CYA at any and all times.

i should point out too, that i am a lot OLDER than many of you here, and soon to be retiring. at this age, you learn a few things from your youth.

like, speeding is fun, but gets you into trouble in one way or another, like tickets, accidents, insurance spikes, points on your license...to the ordinary driver, points really don't mean very much, unless those people come here saying they have a huge amount, and wanna become truck drivers, what do they do now..??

no, you see, for the CDL holder NOW, points mean a whole lot as well, in possible job actions against us.

accidents too are counted against us as professional drivers.

so even in my personal vehicles whether they be car or (former) motorbikes, one should just sit back and drive our personal vehicles as if we were driving our rigs and be fully aware of the consequences of our actions.

i know the "feeling" of leaving work, driving a slow arsed truck, and hopping on the motorbike or into the car/pick up truck, and "gas on it" to get home, or to where ever.

whether facing retirement, or not, we need to maintain control of our actions and reactions while operating ANY motor vehicle, on duty, or off.....

some of you "will see this"....when you get a WHOLE LOT OLDER, than you are right now.....

it all makes sense then.....not so much now......

 

For the most part I view driving as defensive not aggressive.

Really the main exception to that rule is if you drive through New York. There you have to learn to be aggressive to be defensive. That's a whole different situation there because you are literally driving with absolute maniacs

But in general the idea is to use the size of the truck to your advantage and make certain you are always in control and you can always stop.

To be safe, you should be constantly scanning your mirrors and at all times know what is around your truck in front of you and behind you. All three of those areas can cause accidents.

You need to look far ahead to see if there are any traffic problems were people merging or someone slamming their brakes on or an accident that's happening far ahead. If you have stopping distance and you are driving at the right speed that you are in control of the truck you are so much safer.

Knowing what is around your truck at all times is so important because there always will be some lunatic that rides in your blind spot. Or somebody that sneaks up behind you and comes up alongside of you and if you are not alert you may not see them there. You have to know what is around you at all times because if you need to rapidly change lanes you're not trying to figure if you are safe at the last minute.

You also need to look behind you at the traffic coming up on you. Sometimes you will see a drunk driver or an insane speeding driver or it could be someone that's having a medical emergency, who knows?

But if you have the right stopping distance and you are completely in control of the truck and you see what's happening around you, you are so much safe. You then have more time to assess the situation and the ability to maneuver and stop.

Good luck.

 

This post should be pinned for posterity.

 

2 lane lane to single lane(road closed) construction zone I take the middle, amazing how much smoother traffic flows this way after starting again.

 

Its ok. I don't have a problem with it. In my early years going into NYC in particular required some actions with my 18 wheeler that today I find outrageous. Again it's a different time and a more predatory society back then in spots. Emphasis on spots. I would come out onto the Cross Bronx on the brink of rollover off a ramp and the people clear a lane for me like Moses because Im a coming on really hard. I wished that I never have to do stupid stuff like that in those days, but them people just wont move for nobody back then. So it's a form of offensive driving.

That's over with and ancient history as far as I am concerned. The old cross bronx was rebuild, replaced in sections and so on and somewhat Improved actually with the removal of the toll gates and so on that created problems way back then.

 

Watch everything around you. Give erratic drivers plenty of room.

If a driver insists on trying to pass you when they are only 1/4 mile per hour faster than you, slow down and let them in. That way there won't be 50 angry roadraging 4-wheelers roaring past and around you as soon as the other guy is past you.