Safe Driving - Why Do Automobile Drivers Purposely Torment Truck Drivers

Safe driving is more than a phrase that is loosely tossed around, many of the big trucks on the road today are fully loaded; the 48' and 53' trailers can carry 42,000# of freight in the trailer easily. When the total weight of the truck is added to the freight many trucks are at or near 80,000#.

When you combine the total weight of an 18-wheeler and its forward motion of 55 MPH to an impact with automobile, what would you compare the impact to the automobile to?

A good exercise to try some times would be to imagine yourself as the truck driver, just put yourself if the truck drivers seat some times. Now ask yourself what keeps these drivers from going postal every day?

Some people use their car or truck as a tool to torment the 18-wheeler truck driver and the truck driver has to deal with this type of negative attitude all day every day, some drivers think they must try to get back at the driver of a big truck for cutting them off, so they will speed past the big truck cut into his/her lane of travel and slow down.

There are many things the tractor trailer driver must constantly check while he/she is driving.

• The instrument gauges

• Check every mirror if possible

• Check the immediate traffic that surrounds his/her truck

• Check traffic conditions as far ahead as they can see

• Watch out for drivers who make lane changes without signaling

You would think that it's not a struggle or hard work for the truck driver, the truck is doing the work right? But after at the end of the day or a long trip the driver is exhausted as if he had to pull that 80,000# heavy load up the hill by his own strength.

Safe driving is the most important task when the truck is in motion. There is no time for childish behavior on the road. Imagine yourself behind the wheel of a big rig sometimes trying to move an 80 ft. truck checking your equipment you can as you maneuvers in and out of traffic and the other motorist on the road with you show no compassion.

If you avoid doing any of the following items in part 2 of this article on a daily basis, you should give yourself a pat on the back and I take my hat off to you. The truck driver cannot communicate directly with you but your support is always welcomed.