I hope you all like this and if so, please share it with you “four wheeler” friends and family out there so that they can be safe.
I'm a 40 year old daughter and mother, I design handbags and jewelry, I love my family, the outdoors, photography and shopping (I am a woman after all). I served our country in the U.S and the U.K. I worked for the airlines...before they declared bankruptcy and sent our jobs overseas. Now, I'm a truck driver.
Yep, I drive one of those "big rigs" all over this fine country of ours. It's been a wonderful, unique and at times stressful experience. It's the stressful part of my job that has prompted me to write this "letter to the editor" today. Having lived on both the east and west coast, I have always known there are bad drivers out there. However, since going to school to and getting my CDL (commercial drivers license), I've come to realize that there are not only bad drivers out there, but really bad drivers. In fact, forgive me for saying it, but there are really bad, foolish and inconsiderate drivers out there. Now if you are one of these drivers, please read on. If you know someone who is or might be one of these drivers, read on. If you have a teenager, by all means read on.
What I have to say applies throughout the year, but especially during these winter months when driving conditions are less than ideal. Now I realize that just like "four wheelers" (those of you who drive cars), there are also truck drivers out there who could learn a few more things about roadway consideration and common sense.
The following is a list of things not to do when driving anywhere near a "big rig".
1) Placing your vehicle in our "blind spot". If you can't see us, it stands to reason that we can't see you. That could result in an accident and ruin your day.
2) Never cut off a truck or pass one to closely. Given ideal road conditions and an average load, it takes a "big rig" well over the length of a football field to stop properly. If you cut one off and decide to suddenly slow down or hit your breaks for some reason. It will ruin your day and that of your loved ones as well.
3) Never follow a truck to closely, "drafting" for example. This might save you the tiniest amount of fuel, but it's probable one of the most foolish things you can do. When you do this, a driver can not see you. If that driver needs to stop suddenly, guess where you car is going...yep under that truck. Ruined day, if you survive.
4) Coming onto a freeway from an on ramp. Trucks are required to drive in the right lane of most roadways throughout our country. When you are accelerating in order to get onto a freeway, it would be a very good idea to observe the large yellow "yield" sign just prior to exiting the on ramp. If possible, a driver might go into the left lane and allow you into the flow of traffic. However, most of us will not slow down or hit our breaks in order to allow you to "jump in". It is your responsibility to observe the "yield" sign, not the truck drivers to slow down on the freeway endangering the drivers behind him just so you can gain you place ahead of him. The sight of your car going off the side of the road or hitting a concrete wall might offend the other drivers out there.
5) Truck drivers and their turn signals. When a driver puts his turn signal on, that means they intend to move over into the opposite lane. If you are in that lane...ideally, you will be considerate enough to let him in. However, I've seen far to many of you see that gap in traffic as an opportunity to ignore the turn signal of that very big truck to your right or left and accelerate to get ahead of him before he get ahead of you. Once a driver starts to change lanes, they are committed doing so. If your day is so much more important than that of a driver doing his job, your day might be...you guessed it, ruined.
During this time of the year when there is snow and ice on the roads, it is more important for you to please simply pay attention to your surroundings. It will take a truck even longer to stop on ice and if you cause us to hit our breaks, the accident is more likely to be fatal.
So, before you cut off, flip off or tell off a truck driver, please take the time to be simply think before you act. The life you save by being patient and considerate might be your own.
Be safe out there,
GreatNorthWestGal
Tags: Driving Trucks Big Rigs 18 Wheelers Roads Safety Winter Rain Cars
