Well...the trucker(s) know me.

[Andrew63]

Originally Posted by ladogaboy

well, statistically speaking, one in three people have an iq below 100.

LOL, that many?

[Ford Man]

It's been mentioned that passenger traffic needs to be more considerate of commercial traffic. Sometimes the opposite is true. When I lived in NC and came to visit my parents in southwestern KY I had to drive through the Smokey Mountains on I-40. There was one section several miles long where truck traffic was limited to the right lane yet nearly every time I drove that section I'd come up on two trucks running side by side at 35-45 MPH. Is this the type consideration passenger vehicles should expect just because they're truck drivers and how they make their living? The driver's of both trucks being too inconsiderate too follow the law and of each other for one to let the other one go ahead and pass and not block both lanes holding up everyone going in that direction? At least my driving 10 MPH below the posted limit on the interstate is legal, there's at least one other lane, often 2 or more for passing and is safer than a passenger car/ commercial truck going 10 MPH over the posted limit especially that 78K pound loaded truck. Someone stated it took about 665 FT to stop a loaded truck, I'm assuming this is at the speed limit. How much does that increase with each 10 mph over the posted limit? I drive the interstates enough to know it's not at all uncommon to see trucks running 80-90 MPH. At those speeds I'd guess they're approaching 1000 FT stopping distance. I've had trucks following me so closely I couldn't see any part of the cab other than the grill and headlights in my rear view mirror. Now talk to me more about highway courtesy.

[Fat Charlie]

I have a fun trade-off when I go to the 1000 Islands. I can take I-90 and fight my way there through our NASCAR bred idiots whose idea of a good time is not being passed no matter what their speed is. I can take the cowpaths through upstate New York, or I can cut through Ontario and have a lovely drive with well mannered drivers and still have the day ruined by some idiot who thinks he's Columbo on my way back into the US.

Even the US plates behave better on the highways up in CND.

[pjbgravely]

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

IME using the shoulder/"emergency lane" is only done on one lane roads and the like in the US, and even then it's discouraged because the driver is more likely to run into trouble from road debris. There tend to be turn-outs where they're needed, for instance on extended single lane roads with no ability to pass. In every other (multi-lane) situation the usual "drive right, pass left" applies. For whatever reason a significant portion of truck drivers in CA, IME of course, seem to think "tailgate until they go faster" (unless of course they see a LEO) is the way to go.

In New York state it is illegal to drive on the shoulder. I get rid of tailgater's at all costs. Either I slow down so they can pass or pull off the road, I have been hit or almost hit too many times. On the interstate I used to slow down to get them to pass ( until I saw how bad it was for MPG), but now I just move to the left lane. Most of them don't want to go faster they just want to tailgate. Passing on the right is legal in NY.

I guess I am fortunate that my cars top MPG is at 65. I actually waste gas behind slow drivers.

[Ladogaboy]

After tonight's leisurely cruise home, I'm convinced that some people are just a-holes. Apparently, a trucker didn't like the fact that I was cruising at 55-60 mph (in a 55 mph zone for everyone, I might add) following a tractor trailer by about a 2-3 second cushion in the #4 lane (out of 5-6 lanes). I'm guessing he was just jealous because he wanted to be butt buddies with the other trucker?

[Marc F.]

OK, Here we go.

I was trying to put a safety message out.

My safety message got lost along the way.

If a truck is right behind you, it doesnt matter if he started
tailgating OR you just slid in to that space, YOU are at risk
if something happens and you have to stop suddenly.




I am sure someone will read this and quote part of it without context or read it wrong or take it wrong and rant about it. I have tried.

[Ladogaboy]

@ Marc: That message wasn't directed at you, but it was an accurate description of what just happened to me. The fact that he was tailgating me and flashing his high beams might have been a safety message, but why, then, when I eventually merged out of the lane, did he speed up only to progress another 100' (relative) just to hit his brakes and start flashing the next car ahead in the lane.

As a whole, truckers are some of the best drivers on the road; however, some people can justify whatever actions they want (especially their own), and some people are just self-interested a-holes. They exist in every group, and truckers are no exception.

[99metro]

Originally Posted by Marc F.

OK, Here we go.

I was trying to put a safety message out.

My safety message got lost along the way.

If a truck is right behind you, it doesnt matter if he started
tailgating OR you just slid in to that space, YOU are at risk
if something happens and you have to stop suddenly.




I am sure someone will read this and quote part of it without context or read it wrong or take it wrong and rant about it. I have tried.

This is my HUGE concern. If I were to get a flat, I'd pretty much get run over in a split second. Also, even if I wanted to pull over and let him by there is absolutely no way to do this safely. Some of these "day" drivers are extremely poor drivers. In the "old" days they were supposed to allow 4 seconds from the car in front. There is absolutely NO reason to tailgate anyone within 1/4 of a second, especially those big slow-to-stop trucks behind a 1800# car. The ones who drive the best are OTR drivers. Most pay for their own fuel and their truck is THEIR truck. The day drivers - not their truck (belongs to the company) and they don't pay for their own fuel.

I just moved my CB radio from the Dodge flatbed over to the car. I tell you, those day drivers are like a bunch of old ladies losing at bingo. Whine whine whine. I'll just listen - it might get my blood pressure up, but they can pass without losing even a second of their time, and I will do my best to let them by.

It doesn't matter what you drive, we gotta share the road.