Why do people rush in front of my 18 wheeler, dart in front of me to take an exit ramp?

Question

What's up with that? Enough people do it every day to me, so I know someone reading this has done it. What are you thinking? Dou you think I can stop on a dime when you jump in front of me and hit your brakes? I get this 100 times a day. They speed up, come around me on my left, then cut in front of me to get the exit ramp 50 yards in front of my truck. Why not stay behind me if you're getting off? What's the big hurry to get to the stop sign or red light at the end of the exit ramp? I don't get it!

Answer 1

My brother has been a long haul trucker for maybe 20 years.

He says one of the things that make for a good trucker is not only that they know how to drive, but have enough experience in a car to know what to expect from people other cars around you.

If you don't get it, think about it real hard. My 10 year old gets it.

People like a clear road or lane ahead of them. It's easy for someone to feel like he's accomplishing something by zipping around some semi to make his exit.

It should be easier for you to accept this and drive accordingly than swear at dumb sh*ts driving like idiots around you.

Drive safe.

Answer 2

People like to tempt fate or rather try it. It is the same philosophy when they try to rush past the train tracks before the train arrives. We are in such as rush...to get somewhere and this is not going to really improve our time at all...a few seconds to a minute...which is not worth anyone's life......

They don't think of the following:

It is moving faster than they think

A little patience can mean a difference in thier life

This can easily lead to thier death or some one else

This can easily lead to an accident

With such a large vehicle it is difficult for the driver to stop whether it is a truck / diesel or a train.

Yes, I used to do it as well...but I realized that the rush or rushing is not worth it - it is not worth my life nor the truck drivers - it is better to be patience - of course this came with age and seeing accidents in which people made stupid moves such as this that lead to huge accidents in which the person who caused the situation either totalled their vehicle or it resulted in near loss of life.

Be as safe as you can - you know people are still going to try and do stupid stuff like this all the time.

Answer 3

well... My mom and dad both hate getting stuck behind a truck.  It's pretty much the whole "hurry up and get out of his blind spot" sort of deal.

As for the exit ramp, I remember getting stuck behind one a couple months ago with my driving instructor.  I didn't want to get caught speeding with my permit, so I stayed behind him.

The reasoning behind it is so they can get out of your blind spot, they can slow down at the speed they can slow down at because they're not a massive truck, and also, when you're behind one at a light off of the exit, it's nearly IMPOSSIBLE to see the light.  Speeding and rushing to the exit in front of the trucks are an easy way to make sure they can make their schedule work.

This comes from my experience as well.  I may be a new driver, but I hate not being able to see, or not being seen by something much bigger than my car.  I don't have the money to repair it, so I'm going to prevent a possible accident from happening.

It may seem silly, but people just don't like getting stuck behind them.

Sorry, mate.

Answer 4

They do it simply because they are like their cars.  They are machines, except unlike their cars their purpuse is to f*&k things up for the rest of us.

Answer 5

Hi,

One thing about truck drivers is that they know what they're doing and they can avoid problems and plan ahead.

I went on a road trip from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia off to Dubai, United Arabi Emirates and was very impressed with the truck drivers.

I discovered, by accident, that by flashing them once as I was speeding up behind them, they would signal me with a left signal if someone was coming up in the opposite lane.. once the danger was not present and the opposite lane was free, they signaled me to the right and I zoomed ahead.. on a non-stop nine hour trip that was super safe compared to being dangerous if it weren't for their help.

People somehow have faith in that truck drivers have the ability and the wisdom and the patience to take the abuse they get from small cars so they act like kids.  I know I was spoiled on my car trip! :-)

Answer 6

people can't drive. i mean im not perfect but im pretty sure like half of america, or wherever you live should NOT have a license.

Answer 7

I would have to believe it's because everyone is concentrated on themselves getting to where they are going and they do not understand just what may happen.............