| 08/27/08 10:38 AM |
#1030
|
|
Chris Colson
Amy, i have UNFORTUNATELY done all kinds of things i regret in trucks. the problem is the interstate and a majority of highways were originally intended for the transportation of commerce and have ended up becoming a tool for everyone, which means we need to share. As you know in this day and age, it seems like it's always about just one person. I don't think that 4wheelers (truck drivers refer to people in cars as that) know how to read all the signs on the highway. AAA did a recent study and blamed 70% of accidents involving trucks and cars on the 4wheelers. on a six lane highway it is usually against the law for commercial vehicles exceeding 26,000 or so many axles to be in the left lane, therefore the middle lane is our HAMMER lane. if you watch the the patterns and flow on the highway from above, you'll see that it moves in waves and unfortunately the left lane is the leased used because 4wheelers are afraid to get out there because they know the POLICE are watching that lane the most. It will never cease to amaze me how someone can feel safe riding along in the middle lane doing 60 while traffic is flying by at 75-80. defensive driving is constantly being aware and working together. if i see someone coming up behind me, i get out of his way. it is not my job to tell him how to drive. slower cars are actually the most dangerous, because it effects everyone, where as fast ones have to slow down for themselves. it's always going to be about common sense, consideration, and communication (3 Cs Lee :) )i once tried to describe to my mom, a school teacher, what my job was comparable to hers. the only thing i could come up w/, was imagine the commotion and getting the kids back on track if a naked person ran through her room. there are so many variables to doing this job. shippers aren't accountable and receivers want the impossible, so it's left up to the drivers to handle all of that. then there's road conditions, weather, traffic ...we actually consider CONSTRUCTION a season out here. then there's the people putting on makeup, beating there children, having every form imagineable of sex, eating, talking on the phone and i will say after almost 4,000,000 miles, women are the worst about holding up the left lane and not understanding it's purpose, old men the middle lane, and 16-20somethings the scariest of all. since 9/11 the roads have gotten so crowded and urban planners and government have not done their fair share to maintain the upkeep, plus plan for growth. there are a few bad apples out here, too many actually nowadays, but there is also a breaking point which i've crossed the threshhold of several times over the years, but have gotten better w/. the east coast is the worst though. I've often wondered how many peoples paths i cross each day on the highway, at truckstops, shippers, receivers, etc.? it's got to be tens of thousands and that takes some adjusting to. it is not the same, safe, secure and comfortable environment that most people are used to. give the trucks the left lane, we'll make sure it doesn't rust, but then all the 4wheelers will want it. hahaha
|
|
