The Expert View

Why is that truck right on my tail? I’ve got kids in the car! Why doesn’t he just slow down?

Has that ever happened to you? Of course it has, it’s happened to everyone, even truckers when in their private vehicles. It can be unnerving to say the least.

Granted, its just plain dangerous for a vehicle which may weigh well over 80,000 lbs when fully loaded, not to leave space for safety. I’ve done it until I caught myself and backed off, and then thought what an idiot, if that car had braked suddenly I’m done, I’ll run right over top of it!

However, the truck driver may be under extreme pressure to get the load delivered because his dispatcher has already sent him five satellite messages wanting to know when he is free for reload. Maybe he overslept the night before because he’s exhausted from running so many miles, with not enough rest. Most people aren’t aware that long distance truckers are not paid by the hour; they are paid by the mile. So guess what, the more miles they do the more they get paid. It’s like a job that pays by piece work, except if the driver makes a mistake because of trying to get as many miles in each day, the potential damage could be much worse. Most drivers feel they have to run at least 600 miles in a day or they are not making any money. They are in many cases driving tired. That’s why so many drivers are frustrated with four wheelers who get in their way or hold them up.

I’m not saying its right; it’s just the way it is. What everyone needs to do is take a breath, slow down a little, and arrive alive! That load will get there, the world is not going to end, and you will still be safe and not stressed out because of several near misses, and wondering if this is the trip that you have the big one.

And for you, who are in your cars or smaller vehicles, PLEASE, show respect for the trucks and large vehicles around you and give them lots of room. Unless you have a death wish, don’t stop or pull in front of them unexpectedly! They can’t maneuver like you can, and the results can be tragic. Would you argue with someone who outweighed you by 100 to 1?

That’s what you are doing when you dance with a fully loaded tractor trailer. It’s hard enough to avoid an accident when you are alert to what’s going on around you, so don’t complicate it by being distracted, or failing to concentrate on your driving.

You may not get a second chance!

Be safe out there, and see ya later.

Richard Parsons

Expert Safety Solutions

Tel:(905)-259-8536

Email: rick@expertsafetysolutions.com

Website: www.expertsafetysolutions.com