Driving around big rigs

Driving behind, in front, or alongside a big 18-wheeler can be make anyone a nervous wreck, but understanding how to maneuver around big rigs can ease some of those worries.

[CT Guest]

My experience has been the majority of big rig drivers are the real professionals, have the experience, and are not the drivers causing the accidents. It seems like its the cars that cut off the big rigs that cause most of the truck-car accidents. That's not to say there aren't a few bad truck drivers out there, but seems to be the exception. I also drive my motorcycle on the CT highways, and I feel much safer around trucks than some of the idiot car drivers out there - weaving, passing on the right, not using signals, following too closely, yapping on their cell phones.

[rigger]

If one more of you bastards decides to hypermile and draft me I am going to stop my rig quick and you are going to end up saving more money than you thought! This is not a safe thing to do and you will get hurt

[Shellikins]

I agree with you.

A few months ago, I had to drive out to western Iowa (almost into Nebraska), and I did the bulk of my driving in the middle of the night. I did that because I knew most of the traffic would be trucks.

Usually, if you show them some courtesy, they will do the same. Whenever I see a track needs to get into my lane, if it's safe for me to do so, I will let them in.

But, yeah, I agree with you... most accidents involving a rig and a car... it's usually the car's fault for driving like an idiot. A friend of mine is a truck driver... he was in a small accident (well, small for the truck) because someone was passing him on the right while he was trying to make a right hand turn. He said it was an idiot in a Beemer... Oh, and yes, my friend had his blinker on. He was not cited for the accident.

[CT Driver]

They missed an important fact in this article. Big rigs can not stop as quickly as a small car. How many of these accidents involve someone cutting off a truck, then hitting their brakes? Keeping a safe distance is key, in back AND infront of another car. I applaude those truck drivers who have to manuver around the other cars on the road.

[CT Guest]

Also... people don't seem to want to admit it, but speeding is a factor in a huge number of accidents. What is so hard about driving the speed limit?

[ark203]

CT Guest wrote:

Also... people don't seem to want to admit it, but speeding is a factor in a huge number of accidents. What is so hard about driving the speed limit?

Most of the time, it takes an accident for people to realize they drive too fast.. which sucks

[jeff]

all sides of the equation have a responsibility here on the roads... true, i have no clue what it's like driving a big rig, but i do know that Mass is a factor in all accidents...and a big rig has more mass., hence more responsibility...

[awry]

ironic that the truck driver they interviewed is named CROWDER.
this is what i see. a big rig barreling down on a toyota tercel in the right-hand, slow lane and crowding his butt until rig decides to go around. god forbid the car has to brake for any reason because he will be dead.
god forbid you should try driving 55mph. people ride your rump, beep, give you the finger, and the pass with a look on their face that looks like they could kill.
at the one dollar per mile in fuel costs that trucks are paying, they won't be around much longer. put the freight back on the rails where a gallon of fuel carries a ton of freight 450 miles.
and everybody, please slow down.

[Shellikins]

awry wrote:

ironic that the truck driver they interviewed is named CROWDER.
this is what i see. a big rig barreling down on a toyota tercel in the right-hand, slow lane and crowding his butt until rig decides to go around. god forbid the car has to brake for any reason because he will be dead.
god forbid you should try driving 55mph. people ride your rump, beep, give you the finger, and the pass with a look on their face that looks like they could kill.
at the one dollar per mile in fuel costs that trucks are paying, they won't be around much longer. put the freight back on the rails where a gallon of fuel carries a ton of freight 450 miles.
and everybody, please slow down.

There are bad drivers everywhere. There ARE bad truck drivers.

Ya know what I see? Trucks in the right lane doing 55-60, and a car trying to get onto the highway doesn't want to wait for the rig to get by, so they speed up the ramp and cut the truck off.

I see that a LOT.

Oh, and on most highways around here (didn't see where you were from) the speed limit is 65. If you're going 55, then expect that people will beep if you're in the middle or left lane. NO ONE should be tailgating, though, and people should expect that traffic in the right lane would be moving slower.

[Shellikins]

Oh... and as far as delivery by rail... that's all well and good, but not everything is located on a rail line.

Trucks are needed to deliver goods from rail to stores.

[patrick]

awry wrote:

ironic that the truck driver they interviewed is named CROWDER.
this is what i see. a big rig barreling down on a toyota tercel in the right-hand, slow lane and crowding his butt until rig decides to go around. god forbid the car has to brake for any reason because he will be dead.
god forbid you should try driving 55mph. people ride your rump, beep, give you the finger, and the pass with a look on their face that looks like they could kill.
at the one dollar per mile in fuel costs that trucks are paying, they won't be around much longer. put the freight back on the rails where a gallon of fuel carries a ton of freight 450 miles.
and everybody, please slow down.

Thats right, god forbid 55mph drivers in a 65mph zone, they are a hazzard. Slow drivers create havoc for those on the road that have somwhere to be. Slow drivers also seem to have no concept of other drivers on the road by driving slow in passing lanes. A trucks passing lane is the middle one in 3 lane zones. As a voluteer firefighter I see plenty of accidents caused by slow pokes. If you are not capable of keeping up with traffic, stay off the road. Slow drivers are self centered and self riReal irony is that only truck/commercial drivers have to continue testing and updating their licence, when car drivers who far outnumber others have little or no requirement to prove they are capapble of driving. Ironic that a home improvement contractor who can certainly endanger lives, needs absolutly nothing besides $25 and a pulse to get a licence, while a home inspector needs 100's of classroom hours and 100's more in apprenticeship, but can't even pick up a tool. Private drivers need regular testing. I have a friend who has become legally blind, yet he just renewed his drivers licence! He is hopefull he will be able to drive again someday but has the sense to stay off the road for now.

[SKTaxpayer]

Another thing to consider. Most trucking companies are governing the speed of their fleet trucks to save fuel. This further complicates their ability to manuever on the highway.
As far as delivery by rail, produce shipped from southern California will be rotten by the time it gets to New York or Boston. A good driving team can deliver in 3 1/2 days.
Most drivers out there are good, hardworking people. Please extend a little patience and consideration to them during their 70 hour work week.

[Lisa]

People just have no respect for the laws or people in general. I am a bus driver and it amazes me how people don't think twice about blowing pass a bus picking children up. But let me tell you, if someone does to thier childs bus they are the first ones to put up a stink.

[rigger]

awry you are lost to the reality of driving. Come out with me..any day..any time..you choose. We will be cut off,pushed over,stressed by watching unbuckled kids moving around cars with the moms on the cell up to their ear. I see this all..every day. oh yeah a rail line is a real solution. Maybe you look up the Eisenhower Interstate System. Highways designed for the quick and safe movement of troops and supplies. You have the option of side/back roads. We do not.

[West Haven]

awry...what about the idiots in the little tercels that cut across the highway...and cut off two, non speeding tractor trailers, from the third lane to get off the exit they've almost passed???

I drive a mere 7mile strech of I95 back and forth to work and see this constantly. These little tercels, civics, eclipses, and the like...they don't realize just how quickly they can become lodged underneath one of these trucks...the truckers cannot stop short, even at 55mph. I wonder if they will realize what morons they are and thank God if they survive the truck running them over, or blame the truck driver who had no control over the situation.

[Jerry]

Big rig drivers don't have a clue, EVERY SINGLE DAY I can be in the center lane or the right hand lane traveling 65-70mph, and without a doubt a tractor trailer will tailgate, inches off my bumper. Very often if I don't move the SOB will pass me, then move in front of me pushing his/her trailer into my side, giving me no space, no options.
Most every morning at 4:am I travel I-84 west, at 4:am THEY DO THE SAME THING. Only now the flashing high beams start, TRUCKERS DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEED, TAILGATE, or PUT ME IN DANGER!!!

[krseb5 at yahoo dot com]

the ct state police are horrible at thier jobs hiding in unmarked cars in the woods is not a good way to de3ter speeeding

[RamBro]

Man.. I've got a rig that Desiree Fontain could drive! That sista is one hot mama!

[Jeff H]

jeff wrote:

all sides of the equation have a responsibility here on the roads... true, i have no clue what it's like driving a big rig, but i do know that Mass is a factor in all accidents...and a big rig has more mass., hence more responsibility...

Nope. Responsibility is equal.

[Jeff H]

Jerry wrote:

Big rig drivers don't have a clue, EVERY SINGLE DAY I can be in the center lane or the right hand lane traveling 65-70mph, and without a doubt a tractor trailer will tailgate, inches off my bumper. Very often if I don't move the SOB will pass me, then move in front of me pushing his/her trailer into my side, giving me no space, no options.
Most every morning at 4:am I travel I-84 west, at 4:am THEY DO THE SAME THING. Only now the flashing high beams start, TRUCKERS DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO SPEED, TAILGATE, or PUT ME IN DANGER!!!

There seems to be one common denominator in your daily driving troubles. YOU!