Duh !

One odd thing about being a newbie on the road. You are riding along and see this semi behind u come out the lane to pass and u think, "Let me give this big guy plenty of room" and then it dawns you’re as big as he.

Yeah, but that's still the right attitude to have. Even being in a big rig I don't want to be close to any other rigs if I can help it. I always wanted to stay as far away from all other vehicles as I could. I believe space around your vehicle, especially following distance out front, is the most critical aspect of safe driving if I had to name one. Keep everyone far away from me and I'll be fine. That was always my theory.

Donna, I agree with Brett's comments. Anytime a rig makes a move to come around me, I back off the throttle and let them move on far ahead of me. Some people think we're on a Nascar track out here and don't want anybody passing them. It's always best to keep all kinds of open space around you. A good following distance is the primary driving discipline/practice that will keep a driver safe out here.

Donna, I agree with Brett's comments. Anytime a rig makes a move to come around me, I back off the throttle and let them move on far ahead of me. Some people think we're on a Nascar track out here and don't want anybody passing them. It's always best to keep all kinds of open space around you. A good following distance is the primary driving discipline/practice that will keep a driver safe out here.

Totally agree with this. I know it may seem counter-intuitive, even dull, but I avoid bunching and mixing-in with other traffic. Space, lots of it is your friend.

I totally agree especially on this emerging traffic ramps, let them in —before one try’s to wait and whip in. Driving such an enormous machine is a big responsibility and as a newbie or ten years from now I never want to get in such a hurry that I forget how precious life is.

Frankly I am amazed at how much space opens up infront going say 5 mph less for 30 seconds then going back to the same speed.

At 30 seconds (55 vs 60) that's an extra 220 feet. And how much extra time at 60 does it take to make that up at the end? A whole FOUR SECONDS LOST.