Off-Roading Tractor Trailer

[Wardster]

Was travelling to Paducah, Kentucky this afternoon for work and recorded the video below of a tractor trailer running off the road. He did a good job of recovering, but he peppered me with dust, debris, and part of a barrel that passed beneath the truck. This happened on I-71S just north of Louisville, Kentucky. Fortunately, there was no damage to my truck or the NL, but I can't say for certain if the same is true for the driver's seat.

https://youtu.be/mmVz4ojMao0

[specta]

NRALIFR wrote:
I also think we’ve all done what you were doing.

:):)

I'd have to agree with you on this one.

Even the ones who think that they are the perfect driver.

[jimh406]

I’m glad you were mostly ok. It didn’t seem like there was wind, but could have been turbulence from the truck passing the truck.

Besides the one guy here who brags about his MPG and “slipstreaming” trucks, I think the rest of us don’t like to follow trucks close.

As you found, they can stir up a a lot of debris in a hurry, but can happen even if they don’t go off the road. Of course, you also can’t see what is going on in front of you which gives you much less time to react if needed. If you can’t see in front of them, I’d say you are too close.

[NRALIFR]

Before watching the video, I expected to be able to read the semi trailers tag number. :W

Both from stripe spacing and counting seconds, it appears that the following distance was no less than 80 ft prior to the truck leaving the road. 2.0-2.5 seconds, maybe? That’s technically closer than any driving instructor would recommend, even for dry road conditions but.............pretty typical.

I think the recommendation for 70 mph would be about 4 seconds. I also think we’ve all done what you were doing.

:):)

[JIMNLIN]

Typical maneuver on the truckers part for discouraging tail gate'rs. It works also in the right hand lane when bimbo don't know how to safely pass on a 2 lanes hiway...but they have lots of experience of following too close.
I'm always on the wife for driving beside a big rig (she won't speed up and pass) or following too close.

Good vid ...glad you went straight and the roadside wasn't mud.

[huddlewalt]

The video is interesting, but I don't think it will be the same in real life, lol
**** it, how much does a trailer like this cost?
I'd buy myself one! I recently bought myself a new tractor from https://www.heming-engineering.co.uk/tractors-and-machinery/rotary-and-flail-mowers and I like to run my farm on it.
So I think it would be nice to have such a small collection of equipment, haha
I wonder if it is convenient to drive such a car at the wheel. Of course, it is obvious that as a passenger it is convenient.
If anyone has ridden such a bike and has such a trailer-write to me, I would be happy to know any information about it!

[northshore]

You might have been following a little close, but none of us were there, you were. Videos can be a little deceiving and nothing can replace being on scene in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the video, Every one can learn some thing from this thread.

[rhagfo]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Following erratically driven semi so closely?
You deserve new underwear.

Up until he slid too far to the left he was traveling pretty stright, yes he was on the fog line, but not weaving.
I agree following a bit too close for me.

[lakeside013104]

otrfun wrote:
Very well said, Lakeside013104!

Thank you otrfun from the Desert SW

Lakeside

[Wardster]

wnjj wrote:
Anyone else really want to fold the mirrors down on the motorbike? I’m sure the view is a little clearer from the driver’s seat though. 😉

It's hardly noticeable as long as I remember to load it up correctly.

[wnjj]

Anyone else really want to fold the mirrors down on the motorbike? I’m sure the view is a little clearer from the driver’s seat though. 😉

Thanks for sharing.

[otrfun]

Very well said, Lakeside013104!

[lakeside013104]

It takes a big person to admit when wrong. Glad you did no further damage to your rig and yourself.

It all goes back to feeling certain that we can trust the drivers around us to be competent, safe, and able to make the responsible decision to do the 'right' thing. If you feel that you can 'trust' a complete stranger with your life, your safety, or that they will not damage your property, then 'throttle' back on the defensive driving.
Otherwise, always drive defensively, remembering distance is your friend, and be prepared for the unexpected by keeping your attention on the road and your head focused on driving.

I believe a very high percentage of highway crashes are preventable. If only we were not following too closely, if only I did not get mad when this person cut me off, if only I did not choose to 'show' him who is boss after he gave me the middle finger, if only I was not speeding, if only I was not texting, if only I had done my preventive maintenance to my vehicle, if only I had not been upset with my spouse before I left home, if only I had left earlier for work, and the list goes on.

The point is, driving defensively and preventing vehicle crashes is a full time job that requires all of your attention all of the time. We are all human and make mistakes, but being lucky and surviving your journey intact is not worth betting on. When we get behind the steering wheel attention to detail on the task of driving defensively and preventing all crashes before they happen should be our utmost priority.

Safe journeys to all.

Lakeside

[Reality_Check]

He made a decent recovery. Fact is, there isn't a one of us that drives "perfect". Note to guy following (which you acknowledge very clearly). Easy to cast stones, but reality is...we're humans.

Good vid for lesson's learned... thanks.

[Lwiddis]

You were tailgating IMO. And you were lucky. Very lucky. Introspection, my dear Watson.