Close Encounters of the 4-Wheeler Kind

[BigWheels]

Remember when you first started going solo in your big rig and a 4-wheeler almost gave you a heart attack by doing something mentally dull? :shock:

What are some of your memories of stupid 4-wheeler tricks?

Or, how did a 4-wheeler make your heart thump a bit quicker today?

- - -

Somebody's Grandma nearly did me in today. She was merging onto the Interstate (I-43 just north of the new interchange construction in Milwaukee) and just...kept...going...the...same...speed...which.. .was...slow. I was in the right lane and began slowing down well before a potential ugly incident, but I kept expecting her to speed up. She didn't. And no turn signal.

After a while, I was able to get around her and she was looking straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to traffic around her. I think she managed to get her vehicle up to 40MPH by the time I passed her.

Be on the lookout for slow-moving grannies (as well as grandpas!)

[Windwalker]

You know that nice little yellow diamond sign you see waving in the back window of a 4-wheeler? The one they NEED to put on the DASH? CAUTION - BABY ON BOARD

L. A. Freeway that's 4 lanes wide. I'm in the second lane from the right, and a Honda Prelude comes over from the far left lane to get the exit... But gets cut off by a car passing on my right... The Honda hits the brakes right in front of me, lets the car by and gasses on it onto the exit. Little yellow sign waving like mad... Two infant seats in the back seat and both occupied...

When I got to a truck stop, I looked to see if she wiped any of the dirt off my bumper with hers.... A fresh little streak about 6 inches long, near the bottom middle... But, she made the exit and I'll bet she had no idea we touched. I had barely gotten my foot on the brake and it was over.

[Malaki86]

Coming across the Ohio turnpike one afternoon in a horrible rainstorm. I was only doing 50-55mph because of it.

As I approached an entrance ramp, I saw a pickup coming on. I couldn't change lanes, so I just kept going the same speed. So did he. Not once did he look over (my wife was in the passenger seat looking at him), no blinkers, no accelerating - nothing. He just kept merging.

I finally had to stand on the brakes to miss him. As he got on the interstate in front of me, he flipped me off for not letting him over sooner.

Idiots...

[Windwalker]

Coming across the Ohio turnpike one afternoon in a horrible rainstorm. I was only doing 50-55mph because of it.

As I approached an entrance ramp, I saw a pickup coming on. I couldn't change lanes, so I just kept going the same speed. So did he. Not once did he look over (my wife was in the passenger seat looking at him), no blinkers, no accelerating - nothing. He just kept merging.

I finally had to stand on the brakes to miss him. As he got on the interstate in front of me, he flipped me off for not letting him over sooner.

Idiots...

You have no idea how many times I've thought...
Logbook is current and I have hours to run...
He's the one that's crossing the line...

Then I chicken out. :shock:

[hoohaa]

Stupid 4 wheeler tricks are expected.
Trucks scare the crap out of me sometimes.

[Mr. Ford95]

You know that nice little yellow diamond sign you see waving in the back window of a 4-wheeler? The one they NEED to put on the DASH? CAUTION - BABY ON BOARD

That really gets me too Wind. It's a wonder you don't need an IQ test before pro-creating with some of these fools.

Mal, I'm the same way with the cars all the time, I hold my ground and speed at the ramps if they are coming on slow. If it's a truck I do my best to get on by or drop off and leave a hole if I can't get over. Car flips me off, who cares right? I just laugh and shake my head.

I had an SUV nearly merge over into my trailer one day. Had a pilot car in front and rear and as I passed the SUV with the truck they started drifting over. Pilot behind me got on the CB and started giving me the play by play when he saw it drifting. I had another that started to chop me off so I gave a quick burst on the horn and she pulled away then tried to force the issue again so I gave another quick tug on the horn and she again pulled back away from me. She proceeded to then flip me off out her window and hit the brakes to get behind me.

[DIESEL BEAST]

There is one thing that we all can relate to with 4-WHEELERS.
SITUATION:
You're driving in your lane and suddenly with no signal or anything a 4-WHEELER cuts you off.
Next, after they cut you off they wave to you for letting them cut you off. In their mind, "that was nice of that truck driver to let me over." In our minds, "Idiot, you just cut me off and brake checked me."

[golfhobo]

L. A. Freeway that's 4 lanes wide. I'm in the second lane from the right, and a Honda Prelude comes over from the far left lane to get the exit... But gets cut off by a car passing on my right... The Honda hits the brakes right in front of me, lets the car by and gasses on it onto the exit. Little yellow sign waving like mad... Two infant seats in the back seat and both occupied...

I learned to drive (a car) on the L.A. Freeway.... but that was 35 years ago! This is to be expected at ALL times! It is the law out there that everyone in the far left lane MUST cross traffic to get off the NEXT exit.... and everyone getting ON in the granny lane MUST move to the far left lane so they can speed up before crossing back over to get off the NEXT exit!

You basically have TWO choices..... either TAILGATE the vehicle in front of you so as NOT to leave space for this (and that IS the purpose of that space, ya know..) OR.... stay well back and just watch the circus! Always keep one eye on each side mirror at the same time! They will come from BOTH sides and usually want the same "space" at the same time!

It is not their fault if they cut you off. YOU are supposed to know the rules!

[Fredog]

Coming across the Ohio turnpike one afternoon in a horrible rainstorm. I was only doing 50-55mph because of it.

As I approached an entrance ramp, I saw a pickup coming on. I couldn't change lanes, so I just kept going the same speed. So did he. Not once did he look over (my wife was in the passenger seat looking at him), no blinkers, no accelerating - nothing. He just kept merging.

I finally had to stand on the brakes to miss him. As he got on the interstate in front of me, he flipped me off for not letting him over sooner.

Idiots...

You have no idea how many times I've thought...
Logbook is current and I have hours to run...
He's the one that's crossing the line...

Then I chicken out. :shock:

NO, then you use your head and act like the professional you are. ( even though it hurts)

[Mr. Ford95]

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

[Windwalker]

Even if I don't win my bid for President this election, if I get a percentage of the votes, I will do my level best to have a program instituted that WILL make the hiways safer. And you can bet that C.R.A.S.H. and P.A.T.T will NOT be my biggest admirers. I'm almost willing to bet that THEY will be the biggest contributors to the various municipalities "GENERAL FUND".

[Fredog]

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

I am saying that avoiding a wreck regardless of the circumstances is being professional

[all18wheels]

had a guy cut me off and then put on the brakes so he can make the exit.
im still amazed that i didnt run him over.
my dad told me when i first started driving, you have to drive your truck and their cars too to avoid an accident.

[Colin]

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

The point is, a professional driver should never be in a position where a car is "at their door". You should have seen the situation coming and either changed lanes, slowed down or sped up.

There is no valid argument against being a professional, courteous driver. REGARDLESS of the other person's capabilities. That other person likely has a family and you swapping paint with them is neither good for them or your DAC.

[Windwalker]

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

The point is, a professional driver should never be in a position where a car is "at their door". You should have seen the situation coming and either changed lanes, slowed down or sped up.

There is no valid argument against being a professional, courteous driver. REGARDLESS of the other person's capabilities. That other person likely has a family and you swapping paint with them is neither good for them or your DAC.

How many years you been driving, Colin? If you put a monkey in a cage with 3 possible ways to escape, it will find a 4th that you did not know about. Give a 4-wheeler 3 possible ways to get into an accident and die, and he/she will find a 4th that you did not know existed. They keep INVENTING ways to cause accidents, and I almost think they stay awake nights trying think of new ways to do it. No matter how well prepared you think you are, someone will ALWAYS find a way to "BLINDSIDE" you. It is NOT humanly possible to be able to anticipate EVERY move a 4-wheeler will make.

[Colin]

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

The point is, a professional driver should never be in a position where a car is "at their door". You should have seen the situation coming and either changed lanes, slowed down or sped up.

There is no valid argument against being a professional, courteous driver. REGARDLESS of the other person's capabilities. That other person likely has a family and you swapping paint with them is neither good for them or your DAC.

How many years you been driving, Colin? If you put a monkey in a cage with 3 possible ways to escape, it will find a 4th that you did not know about. Give a 4-wheeler 3 possible ways to get into an accident and die, and he/she will find a 4th that you did not know existed. They keep INVENTING ways to cause accidents, and I almost think they stay awake nights trying think of new ways to do it. No matter how well prepared you think you are, someone will ALWAYS find a way to "BLINDSIDE" you. It is NOT humanly possible to be able to anticipate EVERY move a 4-wheeler will make.

I drove for 9 years. Local, regional, OTR.

My point was that if you are not within close range of a car, it becomes much more difficult to become 'involved' with that car.

Create space. Look ahead. Leave a way out.

^ Any of that sound familiar to anyone?

[ct77]

I-24 NB into Nashville had a 4 wheeler come to a complete stop in the granny lane to let someone merge onto the highway. Had a trainee with me who was not driving at the time thank god. For some reason I sensed it coming and merged left.

If you were to ask 100 people who has the right of way merging I ll bet 90 percent couldnt tell ya.

In city traffic i will back out of the throttle 5 mph for a car and if they dont take advantage of it tough.

For my fellow drivers(professional) I will always move over if I can.

[golfhobo]

Windwalker said:

So wait Fredog, even though holding your ground is perfectly legal we are supposed to be nice(professional) and let them in when they are trying to drive into our fuel tank because they are too stupid to speed on up and go? Are you trying to insinuate that if a car merges right over into the side of you, not cutting across your bumper but into the side of you from the steer tire back your weren't being professional enough? If they are trying to cut across your bumper then it's a different story but not when they are driving into the side of you.

If you get in front of me then you stand a better chance of me letting you over vs sitting at my door. Sitting at my door doesn't tell me a thing about what you are attempting to do. That's not being unprofessional, I'm holding what I got and letting them make the decision, speed up or drop in behind me.

The point is, a professional driver should never be in a position where a car is "at their door". You should have seen the situation coming and either changed lanes, slowed down or sped up.

There is no valid argument against being a professional, courteous driver. REGARDLESS of the other person's capabilities. That other person likely has a family and you swapping paint with them is neither good for them or your DAC.

How many years you been driving, Colin? If you put a monkey in a cage with 3 possible ways to escape, it will find a 4th that you did not know about. Give a 4-wheeler 3 possible ways to get into an accident and die, and he/she will find a 4th that you did not know existed. They keep INVENTING ways to cause accidents, and I almost think they stay awake nights trying think of new ways to do it. No matter how well prepared you think you are, someone will ALWAYS find a way to "BLINDSIDE" you. It is NOT humanly possible to be able to anticipate EVERY move a 4-wheeler will make.

I didn't know until he responded exactly how many years Colin has been driving.... but, I KNEW it was more than ME! Maybe not as many as "Wind," but close! He has taken alot of guff for his political bent.... as have I.... but, I have seen FEW on here who questioned his experience as a trucker! And he is RIGHT on THIS one!

Relating to the points that I have highlighted....

We ALL sit atop two very flammable fuel tanks! In nearly EVERY trucker crash I read about, and SEE.... the cab has been engulfed in flames due to their proximity and vulnerability. MANY never make it out alive! Do YOU want to roll the dice on that one because you are STUBBORN?

A "merging" vehicle that IS abeam of my tanks, tells ME alot! It tells me that they may be stupid, careless, on the phone or whatever.... but, it tells me that THEY are not in a position that INDICATES that they will speed up and get in front of me, NOR that they are inclined to get behind me! So.... as a PROFESSIONAL driver, concerned for my OWN safety as well as others', I have the responsibility to resolve the situation SAFELY.... whatever that takes!

Colin is correct. A "professional" driver would seldom let himself get into this situation. He would have SEEN it coming, and adjusted his speed or lane postion accordingly! He might not LIKE it.... but, that is part of his JOB, and his TRAINING!

I most FERVENTLY agree that there is NO VALID ARGUMENT against being a PROFESSIONAL! You can blame everyone else... the 4wheeler, the company, or the OTHER trucker.... all you WANT! But, it all comes down to YOU! Some of you don't "get it!" Being a professional means being BETTER trained, BETTER skilled, and of a BETTER temperament than the other drivers on the road! You are NOT "just like them." You are not trying to get home from work, and hopefully NOT on the cellphone trading stocks! YOU have a load to deliver from point A to B, and it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that it gets there safely... if NOT on time! LETTING someone drive into your fuel tanks because they are stupid only makes YOU MORE SO!

IF you survive it.... it WILL go down as a "preventable," and will probably cost you your CAREER! Is a few MPH WORTH it??? And BTW...... WHY are you so stupid as to BE in the right lane anyway in a city?? (This rarely happens on the open road.) UNLESS there is a sign telling you that you MUST be in the right lane ONLY.... Or UNLESS you are such a slow truck as to hamper the progress of faster trucks..... You SHOULD always be one lane to the LEFT of the "local" lane when going through a city! Have you EVER seen the signs that say... "through traffic merge LEFT?" What do you think that means? It means.... there is alot of friggin' traffic getting ON AND OFF for the next few miles, and YOU should avoid being IN THE WAY! :shock:

But SO MANY of you just get into the "elephant train" NOSE TO TAIL and "cruise" through major metropolitan areas and BITCH about the 4wheelers who are trying to get on with their lives! Lives that are TIED to the on and off ramps that service THEIR town!

No.... it is not "humanly possible" to anticipate every move a 4wheeler will make! If it WERE.... "I" would never have to slow down! (except for stupid TRUCKERS!) But, it IS within your power, AND a part of your training to TRY to do just that! You are not "out there" because of your LOOKS! You are out there to be a "professional!" Get OFF the cellphone and PAY ATTENTION to the traffic around you! That is your JOB! For 10 or 11 hours a day, you don't just DRIVE the truck.... you "navigate" rough waters!

I have a saying. IF you say "Woah, where did HE come from?" more than twice a day.... YOU are dangerous! You should LIVE in your mirrors! And you should THINK a mile down the road! If you are NOT paying attention, and driving in a manner that FACILITATES traffic, you are STEALING money from your company! They pay you for MORE than just driving the truck! I WOULD say that ANY fool can drive a truck..... but, some of you keep proving me wrong!

In my short 3 years of driving, I can honestly say that only ONE 4wheeler has caused me to "brake check," and HE did it out of spite because I was gently "nudging" him to get out of the fast lane! :shock:

I know.... I was WRONG!!! And I LEARNED from it! [NOW I just push them out of the way! ] But, I have NEVER had a problem with merging traffic!

Like many have said.... maybe I speed up, maybe I slow down, and maybe I move over! But, I NEVER let a vehicle close to my tanks without a clue as to their intentions! And I absolutely will NOT be so stubborn as to find out the hard way!

Those of you who DO.... may you R.I.P!!

[Mr. Ford95]

So Hobo, how about the one that attempted to merge into the side of my trailer, was I being unprofessional because I was passing them and they decided to start drifting over? Neighbor who drove dumps locally was hit head-on on a 2 lane by a suicidal driver. He never had time to get the brakes because the guy swerved over at the last second. I guess he was being unprofessional, right? He didn't have a way out.

You cannot be professional 100% of the time and not be in a wreck. There are times when you have to be unprofessional in order to avoid a wreck. You say speed up, that's being unprofessional right there but it could avoid a wreck or get you charged if your in one as being aggressive in some states. Your supposed to hold what you have or slow down if you cannot change lanes. As what was exlained to me by the state examiner when I got my CDL, they are more agile than you, let them make the decision. That is coming from one of the toughest, by the book examiner's in the state of VA.

[Mr. Ford95]

On 2nd thought, ya'll drive how you want to drive and I will do what works for me. Knock on wood, it has not gotten me in a wreck. I know what works for me to keep 4 wheelers from attempting to be stupid around me. We are all going to have our own thoughts on what is considered a professional move and what's not. Every situation is different in some way.