The most common thing I hear is "That stupid truck". This occurs when a truck that is moving slow than the traffic merges into the faster lane of traffic in order to get around and even slower moving vehicle. This is extremely irritating to me. I have been driving trucks for about five years, I have quite a few miles under my belt and experience. When is comes to cars and trucks, trucks definitely get the worst of it all.
You might think "Well why didn't that truck wait until after I passed to merge?" or, "why is he going so slow?" etc etc. Here's the answer... We have to.
In order to get from point A to point B safely we have to be aggressive to an extent. Now I'm not saying that there aren't truckers that do some EXTREMELY stupid things. Because they do, not just to automobiles, but to other truckers. That's a different story for a different time. However driving a truck defensively and somewhat aggressively is a necessary part of driving one of those things.
There have been times where I have spent five or ten minutes and several miles trying to merge into traffic with my turn signal on. The reason it takes so long is because I am trying to respect the automobiles and not have to cut one off. Usually it takes up until another truck comes up on me in that lane for me to get over, because they realize how difficult it is to get over, and they respect my turn signal and let me in.
Here's the bottom line. Respect the trucks. A truck has a lot of blind spots. With mirrors and safe driving skills we try to eliminate as many blind spots as possible, but a truck can be anywhere from 30 feet to 115 feet in length, around 11 to fourteen feet tall and weigh in upwards of 130,000 pounds. They do not turn on a dime, even worse they do not stop on a dime. If you pull in front of a truck too close, then you better have your last will and testament filled out, because if something happens, which can and will happen, you are going to die if you are too close in front OR in back or that truck. Even on the side there is a big blind area. If we cut you off, its most likely because you refused to let us in or failed to notice a turn signal. (this is not the case if the truck driver does properly use the turn signal.)
Here are some things that you should consider next time you want to complain about trucks. The food on you table, is shipped via truck, the materials that built your house, were shipped via truck. The asphalt and concrete that give you the luxury or driving on a paved road, was brought in by a truck. The furniture in your house, the sheets on your bed, the furnace that heats your house, the air conditioner that cools it, the luxuries you enjoy and maybe take for granted are ALL possible because of TRUCKS. Don't take me the wrong way, not all of you are like that, and there are bad truck drivers, but with my experience driving there are alot more idiots driving cars.
Let me give you some tips about driving around trucks. If you are unsure about where the blind spots are on a truck, here is a url you can check out to give you an idea (http://www.sharetheroadsafely.org/noZone/noZone.asp). When you are following a truck, always remember, if you cant see their mirrors, they cant see you. A good rule of thumb is to stay a minimum of the lengths (about 300 feet) in front or in back of a truck. If you are approaching a truck from behind and you come within that 300 foot mark, be courteous and move too pass if you plan to do so, don't come right up on the truck then move, that could easily cause and accident. After you have passed a truck wait until you are AT LEAST 300 feet in front of that truck before you merge back in front of it. If you can help it don't linger at the side of a truck for too long, you could easily be in a blind spot and if the driver goes to merge and doesn't see you, it could cause a very serious accident.
If you are one of those people that are scared to pass a truck, I have some hints for you. First DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! This is extremely danger and just plain STUPID! If you are approaching a truck and its swerving a lot in the lane, then pass cautiously, if you have the space, move over one more lane to put a lane between you and the truck. More often than not that truck is going to be staying between the lines of his lane going straight down the road. Remember that these drivers put on a lot of miles and have had a lot of practice keeping it between the lines. When you pass a truck, pass it swiftly, but cautiously (don't exceed the speed limit) and keep your eyes open. Having both hands on the steering wheel is a good idea too. The truck has and air current moving in front and behind it due to its massive size. This is called a Wake. be prepared for it and just be careful and you will be just fine. You have way less of a chance of getting in and accident passing another car that you do a truck. Just don't be stupid, pay attention to what you are doing, and keep in mind, that if you are stupid, and don't pay attention and yield or stay out that blind spot, and you get into an accident with that truck, you will most likely DIE. They are way bigger than you and will win every time.
BE CAREFUL AROUND TRUCKS PLEASE! And by all means please help me to raise awareness of truck safety. Thanks to all who read :)
Hope you enjoyed
Jac
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