I would like to thank the truck driving industry. Thank you for "training" people in two weeks and putting them on the road in killing machine asap.
There used to be a time when truck drivers were courteous, prepared, respectful, careful, safe, and knowledgeable. Granted there was once a time when all drivers conducted themselves honorably. Keep in mind that an 18 wheel truck is nothing like a 4 wheel car!
More and more often I find myself giving a "professional" driver more credit than they deserve. I drive a lot and more often I find myself put in a dangerous situation because a driver is not paying attention. I am sad to say that it is rare to find a CDL driver who can actually drive! I do know many drivers, however I see a lot more on the roads and they scare me! Texting in a regular car risks lives, texting while piloting a loaded (or unloaded) tractor-trailer is insanity!
I used to admire CDL drivers for their skill and constant vigilance while driving. Now I get away from them as quickly as possible. If you are a CDL driver and you are angered by this, feel free to leave a comment. Hopefully you will also be mindful of your own habits and communicate the short comings of others. Today I was cut of my a Flying J driver pulling doubles. Of course, you all know that Flying J hauls fuel and usually in doubles, as was the case today.
I drive a VW GTI, two door little hot-hatch. I love my car and the fact that its small! However, regardless of size I never would have pulled a move like this driver did. Obviously the hazmat test and training must have slipped this fellow's mind right. I agree that a lot probably slipped his mind, since he was busy chatting away on a cell. He must have missed the BRIGHT RED car already in the lane he didn't check!
All I ask is that when you climb out of your sleeper take 5 minutes. Consider the size of your truck, the size of an average family car, and the life of the cutest 'lil 3 year old I've ever seen. Yes you are bigger, yes you are on the road more, but those are the 2 best reasons for you to be safe! In a single moment of distraction you could murder me, my baby boy, and many other people in many cars all in a split second. Can you live with that?
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The value of drive time!
Things we all do while driving...
How long does it take to send a text message? 60-90 seconds?
Picking and changing a CD just a minute, Right?
Flirting with that really hot guy.... 5 minutes.
Now me I drive a lot faster than that, which is compounded by always being in a hurry for something. I'll be completely honest with you I am a HORRIBLE driver. The first year or two I had my license I was in about 8 wrecks. Luckily my skill has improved greatly!
When I was learning to drive my BIL told me something I'll never forget! Shan said "If you are driving at 60mph (yeah like that's going to happen) you are traveling a mile a min." 60 seconds and you've gone a mile! Pretty simple logic right, but a profound thought. Think of all the things you pass in a mile. On average a Nascar race track is about a mile long or 60 seconds long @60mph. Translation for those who aren't getting it.... A LOT HAPPENS IN 1 MILE!!!!!!
That one text message that couldn't wait, that song you just had to hear, the cute guy in the other car. Exactly how long were you not looking? One mile maybe two? Do you even really know? Could you make an honest guess?
Now you must understand I was steaming mad from some guy cutting me off when I was doing 95 in the fast lane. This thought occurred to me as traffic slowed and I was berating myself regarding my short temper. There had been an accident I was passing now. The smoking remnants of a four door Mazda. All the doors had been cut away the victims long since on an ambulance, two fire engines putting out the flames. Who I wondered, was mad they got cut off by this car? Recently I seem to be a lil more emotional than usual so I was ashamed. Honestly I almost cried, I could have caused something like that being so impatient.
From now on I will pin this thought to my need for speed: Is that extra 5min or that one car length, worth the lives of the people in the other car? Is it really worth the lives of the people in my car? Truly, I say nothing is more important than the souls travelling with me!!
How long does it take to send a text message? 60-90 seconds?
Picking and changing a CD just a minute, Right?
Flirting with that really hot guy.... 5 minutes.
Now me I drive a lot faster than that, which is compounded by always being in a hurry for something. I'll be completely honest with you I am a HORRIBLE driver. The first year or two I had my license I was in about 8 wrecks. Luckily my skill has improved greatly!
When I was learning to drive my BIL told me something I'll never forget! Shan said "If you are driving at 60mph (yeah like that's going to happen) you are traveling a mile a min." 60 seconds and you've gone a mile! Pretty simple logic right, but a profound thought. Think of all the things you pass in a mile. On average a Nascar race track is about a mile long or 60 seconds long @60mph. Translation for those who aren't getting it.... A LOT HAPPENS IN 1 MILE!!!!!!
That one text message that couldn't wait, that song you just had to hear, the cute guy in the other car. Exactly how long were you not looking? One mile maybe two? Do you even really know? Could you make an honest guess?
Now you must understand I was steaming mad from some guy cutting me off when I was doing 95 in the fast lane. This thought occurred to me as traffic slowed and I was berating myself regarding my short temper. There had been an accident I was passing now. The smoking remnants of a four door Mazda. All the doors had been cut away the victims long since on an ambulance, two fire engines putting out the flames. Who I wondered, was mad they got cut off by this car? Recently I seem to be a lil more emotional than usual so I was ashamed. Honestly I almost cried, I could have caused something like that being so impatient.
From now on I will pin this thought to my need for speed: Is that extra 5min or that one car length, worth the lives of the people in the other car? Is it really worth the lives of the people in my car? Truly, I say nothing is more important than the souls travelling with me!!
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