WADS56-
I'm not saying the truck driver was right. I'm also not calling you stupid. But, I think what you did was not very bright. I understand your frustration, but this is one time it would have been better to get off at the next exit, and get back on again well behind him. If he had been distracted in the slightest, he would have hit you. If he had hit you, you would have been through. Even at 35 mph, getting hit by something with that much mass on an icy road would have wrecked you, if not killed you. What's worse, in my opinion, is what could have (may have) happened to the vehicles behind him. Even if everyone was following the recommended speed and distance (unlikely), all it would take is for one of those drivers to become distracted at the wrong time. This happens all too often. I can think of at least four occasions in the past few months where a 20 or more vehicle pile up occurred on unsafe roads. This is usually caused by someone driving too fast for the conditions who comes upon someone driving slower, or, an accident. There is no good reason for causing a semi to jack-knife on an interstate, no matter how big a jerk he was. It is not your job to teach someone a lesson. Especially when so much is at stake. I think LowDown's suggestions (below) are the best so far.
Quote:
Originally posted by LowDown
It's called Defensive Driving. i.e. If someone is tailgating you could: a) use hazard lights(their reflexes will be the same as if you used brake lights)
b) slow down gradually by lifting your foot from the accelerator, forcing the tailgater to do the same, then increase your speed to widen the area between your cars (It's much easier for your car to regain speed than it is for a truck) or c) gradually slow down to a speed that would minimize the probability of an accident and wait for the tailgater to pass you.
One day you will "react" to a tailgater who might just happen to be adjusting his radio or looking at his kids in the rear view mirror and your parents will be stuck with the funeral bill.
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Kell-
I'm sorry your experience with truck drivers has been so bad. I would say that 80% of the truck drivers on the road that I've seen are among the best drivers in the world. Their life would be alot easier if those of us in our cars and pick-ups weren't on the road. Unfortunately, most car drivers don't take into account the differences in things like time to stop, or accelerate, or agility, etc. there is between a semi and a car. In California, and possibly elsewhere, the laws state that a semi can't exceed 55 mph. Most don't. They also can't occupy any lane on a freeway other than the "slow" lane, except to pass. Your idea about limiting their use during heavily congested times is a good idea, I suppose. Not being a truck driver myself, I really don't know. it would have an effect on other things, I'm sure, but I couldn't say what.
Kell, there's a friend of mine I really wish you could have met. His name is Gary Manus, and he's a truck driver. He was working for United Van Lines here locally when I met him. He has since moved to N.C., and has worked as a transport driver for Kerry Earnhardt's Channellock Racing #40 NASCAR Busch team and Wally Dallenbach's Winston Cup team. I haven't heard from him in a few years, but I'm sure he's driving a truck for someone now too. He was the most skilled driver I ever met. He could back in a semi with a fully loaded extra long trailer into a space with 1' clearance on both sides and to the rear, on the first try. He used to get angry when driving with me if I ever went over the speed limit. He would rather drive the speed limit courteously and get where he was going safely than speed recklessly and risk injuring himself or others. He was the first to admit that there are dangerous truck drivers out there, and if he saw one, he reported them. He always said that most truck drivers were more like him, though. That's been my experience as well. Show them a little respect, and they'll give you the road. I hope your experience with them improves.
Take care,
-Chris