Do 18 Wheelers Hate Vettes?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
I'll append to my post above. I treat truckers like any other vehicle on the road. I don't tailgate, don't cut them off, don't brake check them, pay attention to where they're at, try to anticipate what they need and where they're going. Generally truckers are more reliable, and predictable than any other vehicles on the road. Mostly because they have to plan their lane changes ahead, etc... I'm a defensive driver in that - I assume everybody around me is an idiot, and act accordingly for my own safety, and theirs as well...
However, of all the times I've been High Beamed in my life - I've never had anybody blast a flood light at me, so blindingly bright that I was genuinely scared for a couple seconds... So far - on 5 trips up to Olympia, at least 1 trucker each time has managed to blast me with a flood light... I have stock lighting, and I've adjusted all my beams to the correct height...
No blanket statements here. But the next trucker who does it to me, I'm calling the cops on... cause it's BS
-Dan
However, of all the times I've been High Beamed in my life - I've never had anybody blast a flood light at me, so blindingly bright that I was genuinely scared for a couple seconds... So far - on 5 trips up to Olympia, at least 1 trucker each time has managed to blast me with a flood light... I have stock lighting, and I've adjusted all my beams to the correct height...
No blanket statements here. But the next trucker who does it to me, I'm calling the cops on... cause it's BS
-Dan
I usually just have em do their turbo blow off valve at me lol
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 1
From: Bowling Green KY
I always seem to get the ones that decide to get into the left lane on a damn hill cutting me off, knowing they are going to slow down anyway...now there are 2 trucks in both lanes going the same F ing speed throwing rocks on my car when I could have just passed him and been on my way.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Abilene Texas
I personally would never make a blanket statement that all truck drivers are out to get somebody. Can it be a frustrating experience dealing with people cutting you off? Sure.. I know from driving a firetruck with lights and sirens and finding alot of people don't want to yield. Maybe almost getting run over while trying to extricate someone from a wrecked vehicle is frustrating too. Saying "truck drivers" are all this or that is just as ridiculous of a blanket statement. And from my defensive driving classes and such.
-The pressure for speed and efficiency by the trucking companies and the deregulation of the industry are both major factors - 18-wheeler drivers are typically required to work long hours with little or no sleep. Large trucks consistently break the speed limit in order to deliver goods quickly - adding fuel to an already dangerous fire. The sheer size of an 18-wheeler makes for a massive impact and hinders the ability of the truck to make sudden stops. The results are too often fatal.
When I think of what I know about truckdrivers. As anyone would I think of my personal experience...
Being a fireman in Kansas City, we run the grandview triangle interchange of I-435, 71 Highway and I-470. Every accident involving an 18 wheeler I have been to has been the fault of the trucker. Over 8 years.
It's just how it has played out in my own experience so I don't need to think about how a person chooses to work this particular job and how sad it is that they are trying to beat the clock. Not when I arrive on the scene of a car with a grandma, mother, and aunt of a close friend and they are no longer with us because of a big rig taking silly risks.
Having ranted on all that. I am not saying ANYONE that drives a big rig here is a. a bad person, b. has hurt anyone. I am just saying. Though I know there are bad drivers in autos. There are just as many bad drivers in big rigs and when you factor in the size and weight of the vehicle there is a GREATER responsiblity on the truckers shoulders to be safe regardless of any other factors.
Safety first
-The pressure for speed and efficiency by the trucking companies and the deregulation of the industry are both major factors - 18-wheeler drivers are typically required to work long hours with little or no sleep. Large trucks consistently break the speed limit in order to deliver goods quickly - adding fuel to an already dangerous fire. The sheer size of an 18-wheeler makes for a massive impact and hinders the ability of the truck to make sudden stops. The results are too often fatal.
When I think of what I know about truckdrivers. As anyone would I think of my personal experience...
Being a fireman in Kansas City, we run the grandview triangle interchange of I-435, 71 Highway and I-470. Every accident involving an 18 wheeler I have been to has been the fault of the trucker. Over 8 years.
It's just how it has played out in my own experience so I don't need to think about how a person chooses to work this particular job and how sad it is that they are trying to beat the clock. Not when I arrive on the scene of a car with a grandma, mother, and aunt of a close friend and they are no longer with us because of a big rig taking silly risks.
Having ranted on all that. I am not saying ANYONE that drives a big rig here is a. a bad person, b. has hurt anyone. I am just saying. Though I know there are bad drivers in autos. There are just as many bad drivers in big rigs and when you factor in the size and weight of the vehicle there is a GREATER responsiblity on the truckers shoulders to be safe regardless of any other factors.
Safety first
I wish it was true for my Job too. Some people don't understand what is like being in the Truck 24-7. I lve my Job.I have seen more wreaks in 16+ years that have been caused by one thing or another. I have seen things I thought were impossible. This world is made up of all kinds of people.
Some Good Some Bad.
As for the Headlight thing, All the c-5's in my club seem to have a problem with the left headlight. It shines a little high.
That is all I have to say in the matter.
Hope everyone has a long and HAPPY LIFE.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...
The views I expressed previously were from a truckdrivers perspective. I did my time eleven years ago...for fifteen years straight. This was before compact cell phones and huge congestion and deregulation issues. This was back when there was indeed something called "work ethic."
Those days are gone, nonetheless; the experiences linger. I have had a newer perspective for the last eleven years, and that is in dispatch.
These views would present issues on "the other side."
I am not going to do that here (or anywhere). It is my belief that the combination of valuable opinions (presented throughout this thread) gave truckdrivers both good and bad raps.
There are many, many inexperienced truckdrivers out there. There are drivers out there who will not even learn from their mistakes. With those drivers are a very small portion of excellent drivers.
An excellent truckdriver is not an easy find.
It is also a "thankless" industry.
Trucks at this time are ubiquitous. Maybe one day in the future that will change.
I too, am hurt at the loss of innocents by way of an inexperienced, tired trucker. The state of California grades on a 'curve.' When one screws up, everyone pays. That includes the consumer.
I am pro-law enforcement, and I am pro trucker...
Go figure.
The views I expressed previously were from a truckdrivers perspective. I did my time eleven years ago...for fifteen years straight. This was before compact cell phones and huge congestion and deregulation issues. This was back when there was indeed something called "work ethic."
Those days are gone, nonetheless; the experiences linger. I have had a newer perspective for the last eleven years, and that is in dispatch.
These views would present issues on "the other side."
I am not going to do that here (or anywhere). It is my belief that the combination of valuable opinions (presented throughout this thread) gave truckdrivers both good and bad raps.
There are many, many inexperienced truckdrivers out there. There are drivers out there who will not even learn from their mistakes. With those drivers are a very small portion of excellent drivers.
An excellent truckdriver is not an easy find.
It is also a "thankless" industry.
Trucks at this time are ubiquitous. Maybe one day in the future that will change.
I too, am hurt at the loss of innocents by way of an inexperienced, tired trucker. The state of California grades on a 'curve.' When one screws up, everyone pays. That includes the consumer.
I am pro-law enforcement, and I am pro trucker...
Go figure.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
