Respect

Today I started week two in cdl school and we were driving on the highways and on-on and off ramps. I have always had respect for you guys out on the road, and after today I have even more. People are morons around Semi's, I was making a left turn after we switched drivers, and I had plenty of time because the only car coming my way was about a half mile off in a 35 mph zone. My instructor even said I had plenty time and room. I swear this guy in a civic sped up as he saw me turning, next thing I know I am being told to stop while this guy slammed on his brakes and stopped two feet from my tandems. H e backs up and calls me every name in the book. It made for a very stressful rest of the day, even though my instructor told me I did nothing wrong. Sorry to ramble, I just needed to vent a little, it is amazing how fast things can turn from good to bad.

Congratulations. You are driving the biggest idiot magnet on the face of the earth. The things you will observe four wheelers doing near or around a semi will make you cringe. Everyday occurance.

Over time you will learn to anticipate stupidity thus avoiding accidents and confrontation.

Good luck with school.

Thanks G-Town!

I was in Arkansas yesterday and a four wheeler pulling a trailer pulled out in front of me from an off ramp. If I wpuld have had a loaded trailer there would have been no way I could have stopped in time to keep from hitting him. And then he waved at me and smiled real big!! That's the first time I've wanted to give someone the number one sign but settled for a "what the heck are you doing" gesture. It would have been a shame to hit him too. The car he had on the trailer was a gorgeous Bel-Air!

You will be observing that every hour of the day soon. Some people seem to have no respect for their lives or others around them. I was always told drive the truck like your surrounded by your loved ones at all times. Always keep a safe following distance and look ahead. Expect the expected. If your driving on any road and someone next to you or in front of you is driving like a prick. Distance yourself from them.

I ride a motorcycle and you basically have to ride with the assumption that you are invisible. You have to constantly be on the lookout for idiots turning in front of you and or trying to run you off the road, because they didn't see you. Your only real option is to constantly be on the lookout and looking for an escape route and any given moment. I've been riding for roughly 40 years and have never been in an accident involving another vehicle. Plenty of close calls and by all rights, I probably would have been killed on several occasions.

There's absolutely no excuse for not being able to see an 18 wheeler coming down the road. It simply boggles my mind how many dip-sticks that are out on the hwy these days. I just hope my defensive driving habits on the motorcycle transfer over to my truck driving career. The sad thing is, just like trucking, they always try and blame motorcycle for the fact that they simply weren't paying attention.

JJ

I agree Jim J there seems to be a lot of self-entitled people out there on the road. Very sound advice Joseph, thanks.