No longer King of the Road

[hardint]

It amazes me how few truckers flash lights to signal clear to get in any more, I'm no trucker but I do adhere to there courteous behavior I learned from them earlier in my life,it made both parties better off because you both knew where the other was and aware of that fact,and the tail light flash for thank you, heck they even incorporated the two functions into the steering wheel controls for me so it's so easy .
Probably 80% of the delivery drivers to the plant can barley speak understandable english

[jsmmonaco]

watch any video on how they drive in other countries and you answer your own question...........lane changing without signaling, squeezing into spots that are barely big enough, etc..................rv drivers are given the same measure of respect as those that ride motorcycles...............I guess the good news is anyone reading this will probably not have to worry about such things in 50 years....................

[04fxsts]

I have been wondering about the tandem trucks with one tractor pulling two medium size trailers. It seems like a large percentage of these have a problem swerving all over their lane, much more than a conventional semi. Are these really just that unstable? Jim.

[Ludmilla]

We were just talking about the bad truck drivers on our last trip. Many cannot stay in their lane and I have had to hot the brakes on a number of occasions when they passed me and then came back into my lane too soon. They do not know how long their rigs are and would have hit me if I had not hit the brakes. I am very defensive when there is a truck around. You used to be able to rely on competent and courteous truck drivers, but that is not the case anymore.


I like the idea of the dash cam. What power source do they use? How long can they run?

[whozleft]

My father was a trucker all his life. I spent vacations going on road trips with him as a boy. I was always amazed at how he could handle the big thing. But what others have said, now there is such a shortage of truckers that the skills they used to have are going away. Just look at any of the trucking schools online and they are cranking out dozens of "truck drivers" every week. Many that think it's a no brainer profession and never stick with it. Others who want to do better but the skills do not come overnight.

[JohnBoyToo]

Sorry, but just like driving the big rv,
how much 'skill' / 'training' does it really take ?
I ask this seriously, not demeaning, etc... if we take emotion out of it...

SOME parts OTHER than the driving may take some orientation,
but the driving is point and shoot make the front fit and the rest will follow !

IMHO, it's more of inattentiveness than skill/training... Bad truck/car/lawn mower drivers are just bad drivers, no amount of training will help.

One thing I've said for years, put all new drivers on motorcycles for the first 90 days of driving, those that survive will be good defensive drivers

Merry Christmas Eve !

[ctpres]

News story some time ago: fast food and trucking industries competing for same pool of hires.

[harleyjt]

One thing I've said for years, put all new drivers on motorcycles for the first 90 days of driving, those that survive will be good defensive drivers

I completely agree! I know that I am a far better driver because I am also a rider. That's the best way to learn defensive driving skills imo.
jt

[Bobb.25]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I agree Steve! Bring back our railroad system, and eliminate over half the HDT's on the roadways.
Railroads built this nation, and when they were dismantled it started the decline of our nation. Just my opinion of course. Railroads are the 2nd on the list of the most economical methods of shipping materials. The first is by water, which is very limited by waterways themselves.

I could not agree with you more. If you want to run for Transportation Commissioner you have my vote. Incidentally, I have recently noticed the increased use of double stacked shipping containers on rail cars, a good water to rail shipping efficiency.

[George Schweikle]

What about this?

"Congress is considering letting 18-year olds drive tractor-trailers. A proposed federal provision also allow 85-foot double tractor-trailers in every state. Right now, Pennsylvania and 10 other states don’t allow double 33’s, or two 33-foot trailers, to be pulled behind a single truck".

[BobandDonna]

I am in no way defending aggressive or poorly skilled driving by truckers. However, people who ride the center lane going the speed limit or worse under the speed limit are asking to be tailgated. The center lane is the trucker's passing lane. On lots of interstates the truckers are not allowed in the left lane. They are on the clock earning their living (not that that is an excuse for creating an accident). If you don't like being tailgated, stay in the right hand lane. Truckers may come up on you in that lane, but as soon as there is an opening for them they will pass you using the center lane.

[TJDave]

First, there is no excuse for unsafe, distracted, and aggressive driving. No matter what type of vehicle. It's everybody, not just big rigs. There are so many more vehicles on the roads these days, it's became more commonplace.

Most trucking companies pay by the mile, as the crow flies. CMV drivers stuck in traffic, waiting for loads, performing inspections, and satisfying time off regulations are not being paid. No wonder they're in a hurry when they're moving.
Again, no excuse, but it's the nature of the industry that is partly to blame, IMO.

DOT regulations are getting more and more strict for the commercial driver. Fitness for duty physicals every 2yrs. Most are every year if they have any kind of medical condition. Limits on blood pressure, A1c levels, body fat index requiring cpap monitoring, etc. Those hauling hazmat are re-tested, fingerprinted and background checked at every renewal. Hours of service regulations with required breaks and 34 hour resets. Soon to be all electronic, no cheating!

Could you imagine if the same regs were imposed on us RV drivers? Probably a lot of us would not be allowed out there! A 70 year old diabetic, who hasn't had any kind of driving test since his 16th birthday, can hop in a 40' DP and go.

I am not excusing bad behaviors from truckers, just offering some perspective.

Yes, I was out there years ago. Then went to the safety and training side for awhile.

[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by 04fxsts

I have been wondering about the tandem trucks with one tractor pulling two medium size trailers. It seems like a large percentage of these have a problem swerving all over their lane, much more than a conventional semi. Are these really just that unstable? Jim.

Tandems are a whole different breed of truck to drive and require a different endorsement to the everyday CDL (Commercial Drivers License).

[NevadaNick]

Say what you want about doubles or triples, but around here you dont see them on there side like you do single trailers. I also used to have to hire and fire truck drivers and whomever came up with the no longer used slogan (Only the best will drive) is a joke.