Comments By Rolling Thunder

Yeah, every driver has that one day where he can't back for anyrhing. Perfectly normal.

Oh yeah, I have drfted from time to time. That is not what I am talking about. I am pointing out the drivers who use the rumble strips and/or lines as pinball bumpers.

The majority of truck drivers (in my limited experience) are doing it right. It only takes the one next to you, who is doing it wrong, to upend yours, or others lives.

As for the autonomous cars... I would have to be convinced that there is enough redundancy built into the system to prevent accidents before I can trust them running next to me. I'm sure it would still be safer than some of these crazy 4 wheelers out here though.

Not a rant murderspolywog. Getting input is always helpful and it puts the post back up top so more eyes can see it... Which hopefully will mean more drivers will think about it out there.

I get the "usefulness" of the technology, but, we should not need it. We should be driving the truck and alert to our surroundings while the wheels are turning. Ask a pilot and if they prefer to be hands on the controls or let a computer fly the plane. My guess is the answer would be there is no substitute for the human yet.

We just have to be better drivers.

I try not to complain about my fellow drivers but sometimes speaking out is necessary.

I have noticed and experienced more trucks drifting out of their lane while either being passed or passing lately. Just the other night I was passing a KLLM and he suddenly crossed over into my lane forcing me to the inside shoulder. Luckily, there was plenty of room for me to safely run it long enough to get separation from him. If this had happened just a few miles up the road where there was construction going on, the outcome would have been horrific. He was obviously too sleepy to be driving. After I got by him and entered the construction zone he was directly behind me. I watched him drift back and forth (I sped through the zone to get way ahead of him) until he fell out of sight.

That is one of many lane incursions I have witnessed lately. Isn't it bad enough that we have to treat every four wheeler as if they are going to do something stupid forcing us to be extremely vigilant around them? Going down the road with other big rigs should not be a concern... But now it is.

Please, if you are tired, pull over and take a power nap or get out and stretch or whatever to wake yourself up. Stay off the phone unless you can safely talk hands free. We are supposed to be professional drivers who take a higher stock in our own and others lives while on the road. Every decision we make while rolling should begin with a heavy emphasis on safety.

Crashing in one of these has very real and serious consequences for ourselves and any unfortunate soul who may unnecessarily be taken away from loved ones. I view every four wheeler as if there is an innocent child in it and I see every big rig as being driven by a father or mother with little kids at home who would be devastated if they lost them. I started thinking this way in the beginning and now I instincively react to any possible hazard with these thoughts guiding me. I just wish everyone else did as well.

Thanks for reading this and be safe.

It is a good idea to have an app like that.

Here is the question though: Does anyone here know where the "rock and roll" parking lot is in New Jersey?

I do. Of course, you will want to know why I will not share the location. I don`t want my truck backed into... again. It is for this reason I think opening the door to the lesser known parking areas will cause problems. These lots usually require good backing skills and that seems to be lacking these days.

Do you at least leave a tip (3+ dollars) for the folks that clean the showers? I do. And I thank them too. It is that easy.

The "barn" is no bueno... No, no buenos.

There it is! That moment when it gets real. I will only add one comment to what Errol V has written: We all love our kids and find a way to make it.

Not as common as you may think. It really is a gamble... Unless... You get the experience needed. There is one common bond that all seasoned drivers have: don't hit my truck! Drivers that can't back will have a hard time finding parking at the not so well known places. You just have to work your way in.