Semi truck drivers..lack of concern ??

cbshoestring wrote:

JCR-1 wrote:

Heiny57 wrote:

cbshoestring wrote:
How can you get a CDL without knowing how to back a rig???

How can you get a class A without knowing how a 5th wheel works, or how to drive a manual transmission??? Truck driving schools taking advantage of high unemployment and the high demand for semi-drivers, that is how!!! By the way, FMCSA (the FED in charge of truckers), has recently caught on, so now those CDL's come with a restriction from driving manual/5th wheel without testing on equipment that has it.

Still wonderig if the OP cares to comment on the posted speed limit???

Just because the OP got nervous, does NOT mean the trucker did anything wrong. Was the truck driving near speed limit? Did the truck stay in THEIR lane. Just because it made you uncomfortable, doesn't mean that driver was doing something unsafe, or something that they were not totally comfortable doing.

You may think it is scary going 3 wide up the curvy hills on the PA turnpike into the Allegheny Mountains....I've done it so many times with a tractor-trailer on either side of me that I barely raise an eyebrow unless there is lane encroachment. I'll share the highway with anyone...I refuse to share MY lane.

You state the side railing was "only a foot or two away". Assuming you where in the center of the lane--you where also a foot or two from the white line that seperates the two lanes. Even if that truck came onto the white line, it was still a foot or two away. Sorry, sounds as if that railing scared you, you were "hugging the zipper"...which put YOU closer to him.

X2

OP never got nervous, and I guess you do not understand aero dynamics when a vehicle (box) overtakes another box at a slower speed there is wave of air similar to a boat wake at the bow. When this wave hits another box it pushes the box to the right and then if there is a trailer there is another dynamic. The cab is pushed outward from the trailer and when the truck passes there is a suction that pulls it back in. This can cause severe wiggle and if there is not enough lane to correct a hazard could be present, especially if an unexperienced woman is driving. Maybe you dont understand the principles of drafting and never noticed. I also know that some drivers are oblivious to the effects of drafting and road aero dynamics. Those drivers scare me because they assume a lot they dont know about.

How does someone ASSUME I "don't understand aerodynamics" when all I did was point out that 1-2 feet is a lot of space? Why can't I say the OP was nervous, based upon THEIR own comments that the bridge is old, narrow and only left that 1-2 feet? Why is the trucker going 65 mph, on a bridge where APPERANTLY he has a foot or two on either side of him (add those lanes together--both driver in middle of lane---truck is 4' away from RVer) at fault for being comfortable, and fully in control of his/her rig?

If the trucker was not speeding, then maybe the OP needs to learn about AERODYNAMICS, cause it would appear that his cautious speed actually caused more stress than it was worth.

For the record...if you are travelling slowly, in a narrow area, where I am afraid that you being scared is going to cause you to do something stupid...I am passing you just as fast as ALL the HP I can muster will sling-shot me past you. Last thing I want is to be beside someone that is afraid to drive in their lane...nor will I patiently wait for you to overcome your fear if BLOWING by you can be done safely. Wiggling you...not a consideration.

I stand by my guess....since the op has not posted the speed limit.

Op was riding the zipper, scared of that wall. The trucker probably had to cheat the lane for on-coming traffic just to safely pass. Best thing that trucker did was....get past as fast as possible, then get far, far away from the person who does not have confidence driving their rig.