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From: wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: More on Trucks
Message-ID: <690@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Apr-84 11:09:24 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.690
Posted: Wed Apr 11 11:09:24 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Apr-84 06:08:35 EST
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 44

As long as the subject of trucks has come up, I would like
to say that it always boggles my mind when I see some lunkhead
in a Honda (insert any other car name) cut in front of an 18-wheeler
on the freeway.  They seem to think that because the truck has 18
wheels, it has 18 times more stopping power.  I see this manuver
nearly every morning and evening on our local super-slab.  

To cut in front of one of these rigs is akin to committing suicide
if they have to stop quickly.  The truck driver has probably taken
great pains to maintain a reasonable distance between him and the next
car just in case he has to stop.  When one of these dimwits slides
into that space, the ability to bring the truck to a stop without
hitting the next car is reduced tremendously.  

I travel the local freeways and toll roads with a CB on and it has
been a source of much good information.  I listen to the truck
drivers and have gained a lot of insight to their problems.  I
would say that over 90% of the truck drivers are helpful and
understanding when you try to find out about what their problems
are all about.  The major complaint of most drivers is the constant
weaving in and out by the four-wheelers.  Then there is the pee-brain
who zips in front of a big truck at the top of a grade, poops along
at 55 down hill, then whips up the next grade at 70, leaving the
truck at the bottom with no momentum to get up the hill without
shifting down 3 or 4 gears.

Using a little common sense when confronted with a highway full
of 18-wheelers can save a life.  Do not eat up the truckers
margin of stopping distance by slipping into the space between
him and the next car.  Do not play fast and slow in hilly sections.
I don't mean to say that there are not any truckers who are 
a**holes.  On the other hand, there are a lot of 4-wheel drivers
who just do not understand the complexity of driving a
K-whopper with 70 bushels (that's 70,000 lbs in CB talk) of
dog food down a three lane highway, surrounded by commuters, and
only able to use the two right lanes.  

As to the guy in Connecticut, he should have gotten 20 years for
just being a rotten apple in the industry.  Other truckers who
have been discussing the case the past few days are saying the
same thing.  These guys drive trucks for a living.  If you want
a more boring job, try it some time.  Getting into accidents is
not their idea of having a nice day.  
T. C. Wheeler