Zach LarkinsTRUCKERS
The controversy over trucks continues. There are those out there who insist trucks be made to travel on their own separate roads, away from the main highways. It is easy to see why some people feel this way. They are the ones who don't know how to drive.
I drove a truck for some years, although it wasn't a big rig. It was a five ton straight truck and saw enough to gain a great respect for those who drive the 18, 24 and 36 wheelers. The little guys driving cars think handling one of these rigs is the same as handling their own tiny (in comparison) vehicles.
Big trucks, laden down with several tons of goods, do not stop as quickly as a car does. Thus when some idiot slams his brakes on in front of a big rig and gets his trunk shoved up his backside, it naturally becomes the fault of the truck driver. Some jerks get their jollies by weaving in and out of traffic and not giving the truck enough room when they cut in front of it.
Not all trucks are created equal. Some are run on a governor, which limits the maximum speed they can attain. Therefore you run into situations where one truck is passing another and you are stuck behind the two. Relax. You won't be going anywhere fast for the next few moments and the truck driver doesn't need a one fingered salute form you when you finally do get through. Just as it takes longer to stop a truck, it takes longer to gain speed too, and all the driver is trying to do is keep his speed up. Last time I checked, that wasn't against the law, no matter how inconvenienced you might have been.
Watch some of the trucks on the road. When one is passed by the other, the one passed will flash his lights when the passer is far enough ahead to safely return to the lane. The passer will put on his four-ways as a thank you. This is common courtesy between truckers and we could all use more courtesy and common sense.
When daytime running lights were made mandatory on motorcycles, I thought it was a brilliant idea. It gave the biker a bit more of a safety edge in that if you saw a headlight behind you, you knew it was a bike. When Canada required them on automobiles, I was not impressed. The motorcycles would get lost in the sea of headlights. After driving for a few years, I learned their worth. Imagine going down the highway on a misty or foggy day. A silver or grey coloured car is sitting beside you. You can't see it. You just can't see it. If you start to move over, you get a horn blast, which you may not hear, and all sorts of pantomimed abuse from the driver you almost cut off or killed. Daytime running lights eliminated this problem and I don't know why the idea hasn't caught on in the US. GM has been installing DRL's for some time now and we can only hope the other auto manufacturers follow suit.
Someone once said that anything you see or touch today was brought to you by a truck. And that is very true. The tree huggers suggest moving loads by rail. This would help the railroad companies, but it is very expensive to do. That cost would be reflected in the price you pay for goods you buy. It could also decimate the trucking industry by leaving thousands of drivers without a good paying job. And in the end, the goods still have to be loaded onto a truck to travel to your local grocery store, convenience store, dry goods store, etc.
We all need to wake up a bit. The big rigs are the big dogs on the highway. Learn to play by their rules and chances are you won't get flattened by one of them.
Instead of swearing at or giving the finger to a trucker because you might have been held up for a few seconds, say thank you instead. If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't have the good stuff you do today.
I drove a truck for some years, although it wasn't a big rig. It was a five ton straight truck and saw enough to gain a great respect for those who drive the 18, 24 and 36 wheelers. The little guys driving cars think handling one of these rigs is the same as handling their own tiny (in comparison) vehicles.
Big trucks, laden down with several tons of goods, do not stop as quickly as a car does. Thus when some idiot slams his brakes on in front of a big rig and gets his trunk shoved up his backside, it naturally becomes the fault of the truck driver. Some jerks get their jollies by weaving in and out of traffic and not giving the truck enough room when they cut in front of it.
Watch some of the trucks on the road. When one is passed by the other, the one passed will flash his lights when the passer is far enough ahead to safely return to the lane. The passer will put on his four-ways as a thank you. This is common courtesy between truckers and we could all use more courtesy and common sense.
Someone once said that anything you see or touch today was brought to you by a truck. And that is very true. The tree huggers suggest moving loads by rail. This would help the railroad companies, but it is very expensive to do. That cost would be reflected in the price you pay for goods you buy. It could also decimate the trucking industry by leaving thousands of drivers without a good paying job. And in the end, the goods still have to be loaded onto a truck to travel to your local grocery store, convenience store, dry goods store, etc.
We all need to wake up a bit. The big rigs are the big dogs on the highway. Learn to play by their rules and chances are you won't get flattened by one of them.
Instead of swearing at or giving the finger to a trucker because you might have been held up for a few seconds, say thank you instead. If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't have the good stuff you do today.
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Tales From The Green Lantern
SL, I use the flashing lights myself and have even had the favour returned. It gives you a good feeling inside.