In the brink of road-rage, does the American public know or care?

Question

I say this on behalf of my fellow truck-drivers out there, does the American public know or even care? Why do 4 wheelers cut us off every day in rain/snow/night or day? Do you care at all what could be the consequences of your actions? (I am not saying all truckers are perfect out there, but 90% of us are out here to make money/put food on the table for our families) do you understand what happens to us behind the wheel of those big-rigs when you cut us off and slam on your brakes?? I grew up in MA, and I was told most of my life that as per the US census "we" Boston drivers can't drive. Then why does it appear to me that most states/cities drivers can't drive? Specially the folks from Madison-WI,Detroit-MI,Chicago-IL,NYC,NJ,... and probably a whole lot of other states that I've never been to! Why can't you be courteous and safety minded like the drivers in TN,KY,GA?? Do you know the distance it takes a18wheeled truck to safely stop from 65mph in dry pavement?

Answer 1

It's not that the public doesn't care,  it is that they don't know.    We have a problem  in this country with inadequate training of drivers (all vehicles),  and inadequate testing (but seriously,  how long would a driver's test have to be then?)

Most of the folks in small vehicles (cars)  have no clue about the stopping distance required to stop a big truck,    The don't know that we can't see them racing up the right side of the trailer intending to jump in front of us without warning,  or that we can't see anything small within 100 feet of the back of the trailer.    This is the inadequate training I speak of.

Sure,  there are the morons who just don't care.   For these,  you may want to look into a video recording system.   If I find one for a reasonable price that does what I want,  I'ld be happy to share the info.      I have long supported a system that would allow video to be presented to LEOs for review of unsafe acts by all drivers with the intention of retraining/fining those drivers who intentionally endanger others.    Repeated complaints could lead to revoking thier driving privileges  (I also support forfeiture of vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers).

Answer 2

I see the same c**p going on each and everyday, people just don't care.

Answer 3

12,000 pounds on your steering axle...6,000 pounds on just ONE front tire..!!!! You can bet your sweet a** I'll give you plenty of room. People seem to sit up and take notice if you mention that to them. They are surprised your front tire contact patch weighs more than their entire car...*kisses*

Answer 4

I am not a trucker but living in Chicago I see this all the time.  I seem to remember a saying from years ago that I don't see anymore "the no zone".  It referred to the blind spots on semi's.  You may be able to find one of them stickers to put on the back of your truck and maybe it will remind drivers not to do stupid things around trucks.

Answer 5

I hate tricky drivers.. They are the ones in the long run making the traffic slower and worse.... I understand the rage, I feel it almost every time I go out....

I'd like to see a few of them get knocked out and left on the side of the road, or in the least their paint job keyed.

  When i was a kid, some drivers would actually stop and signal that it was ok for me to cross the street. I don't think so many of them have the manners and courtesy to do that now, so they deserve to be slapped with a fine, or physically, in my book, by me or you, if need be....

Answer 6

thats what i thought man really it was effed up .