Quick question, since most of you drive freeways now and then, and you probably tend to share them with big trucks.
When I need to change lanes, I normally wait until there is enough space to slide my fat-ass'ed rig over. Sometimes, traffic is so heavy that I begin signaling the *need* to move over, (in effect, 'asking' those already there for permission to move) and I wait until the lane next to me is clear.
The problem: after signaling, and the lane next to me is clear, aggressive morons come racing up next to my truck, then just sit there, blocking the lane so that I cannot move over.
The question: WHY do people do this? I wish to understand why people would purposely block a Semi from changing lanes, endangering their lives in the process.
The end result: Normally, I give it 3-4 TS 'blinks' before I start over. In heavy traffic, I wait until the people next to me either pass or change lanes, and there is plenty of room for me. They have the right-of-way after all, and I try to be as polite as I can, but sometimes I have no choice: I *must* change lanes. It is not an option for me.
However, it seems lately that there is always some JERK that races into that space I so desperately need, in order to keep me from changing lanes. When I recognize this kind of shitty behavior, said JERK has 2 options when I start over: brake hard and/or change lanes quickly, because once I start over, it's a done deal. Challenge me, and you will be chewing my tires. I don't back down, and it ain't MY funeral, pal.
I know most people hate trucks and truck drivers. They can't see around the trucks, they're filthy, big and disgusting-looking, they smell and they're noisy, and they're just plain intimidating when you're near one. I understand this, and I TRY to be as patient as I can be, on the road.
Unfortunately, my good intentions seem lost on the motoring public.
Early last year, I was on a 4-lane highway with a 'female' in an SUV next to me. No one else was on this road for miles in every direction. She was on the left, I on the right. My turn was quickly approaching, so I signaled a left turn. She just sat there, right next to me. I slowed. She slowed. I sped up. She sped up. I slowed again, and she matched me, move for move. I finally gave up and began to move over. She wouldn't budge ONE INCH. She ended up being pushed over into oncoming traffic, where she angrily drove for over 1/2 mile, right next to me, as she ran cars off the road, their horns blaring and brights flashing. I still don't understand what her problem was.
People like this need a serious reality check. This is how I earn my living, and I will thank everyone on the road to PLEASE show a modicum of maturity and curtesy when sharing the road with others. If you had to drive a damned truck
12 hours a day, you'd get weary of stinky behavior like this too. Give those poor, tired old Truckers a break, would ya?And ladies, we DO appreciate a wink and a nod when you're sitting next to us in traffic. Yes, we take a peek downward and check y'all out, even though you don't normally notice. A fine 'seat cover' is our only reward in life, and we appreciate you all, bless you're hearts.
-JD
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