Are some folks nuts or just intent on killing themselves?

[Rams]

As many of you know, I transport vehicles and cargo a lot.    This past week, I transported two  vehicles to two different locations but, in both cases, had similar multiple experiences.    

The Ford F350 Service truck and utility bed weighs over 12,000 lbs., I transported it to middle Ohio from southern Kentucky.    On that trip, (this is just one of the close calls I had) a person in a Miata crossed three lanes of traffic in Columbus, OH so they could get into the far right hand lane to take an exit about two miles ahead of where we were.    I was in the far right lane.   Traffic was pretty heavy and moving along in a typical manner for rush hour.    I really don't believe the person driving really looked but, he/she cut me off so close to my front end that I lost sight of the car up to the point of the rear of the car was not visible up to the driver's compartment.    I used every bit of braking power I had to not roll over this idiot.    There was at least 100 feet of open space in between myself and the next vehicle in front of me and yet, this person seemed intent to commit suicide or kill me.   I'm not sure which.  

The second close call was transporting a  Stretched Limo to Raleigh, NC this weekend,    While not a heavy as the Ford, still checks in at over 9,000 lbs.    While enroute I needed to stop for fuel.   Did so and was headed back to get on the interstate.   The on ramp was two lanes that merge into one just prior to getting on the interstate.    Some dufass in a Toyota Solara convertible (with the top down) with two small kids in the car decided to come up beside me in the emergency lane and cuts in front of me with maybe 20 between my front bumper and the next car.   Now, we're only doing about 15 to 20 mph and were coming to a stop but, his maneuver totally surprised me, I wasn't expecting someone to come up on my right side and cut in from the emergency side.    Scared the hell out of me, I locked up the brakes, the squall of my trailer tires was heard by anyone within  200 yards.   Both of his kids were shocked and looking at me wide eyed, the driver refused to look in his rear view mirror.

Now, I have to ask, what is so frigg'n important that you can't wait your turn or at least drive with a little courtesy.    I fully realize that my rig is not as fast as most of the vehicles on the road and I do my best to stay out of their way.    But, what I don't understand is why folks and I mean there's a lot of them that think they are invincible while behind the steering wheel of a vehicle.    Do you not realize that my 35,000 lb. + truck/trailer/load will go right over your ass?    Does the Dodge Ram emblem on the hood of my truck look like a Porsche or Ferrari emblem?   Those cars may be able to stop in world class distances but, my rig is not in that class.     Seriously, what the hell is wrong with some of you people.    If you're that committed to suicide, please don't involve me.    There's way too much paperwork and time lost due to filling out police accident reports and insurance claims forms.    Seriously, there are some idiots out there, please don't be one of them.

The third situation, while returning from Raleigh, NC, three bikers were cutting through traffic at speed well over the posted speed limits, they just happened to be HDs but, could have been any brand.    All three, in close order, cut in front of me so close that I couldn't see the bikes bottom 2/3rds, only the riders from the waist up.   The last rider was so close that I actually thought we were going hit and I was already on the brakes.    IS this a game to see just how stupid one can get?   Are these folks playing with a death wish or what?

Before you cut that truck off, think about his braking capability.    Don't test his brakes or driving skill, you may not like the end results.   In all of the afore mentioned situations, they and I got lucky but, just barely.

OK, maybe I'll feel better now that I got that off my chest.  

[Sorcerer]

Blame it on the automaker and the adds that they run. Self stopping vehicles, air bags all over the place, anti lock breaks , and all the do dads. They don't think they have to think any more. Buy omition they have never learned that there are concequences for there actions.

[oldsmokey]

Understood.. and Agreed.. I haul construction equipment through the Northeast, 80,000 - 130,000 pounds, more and more often closer to Boston .  Whether it is the me me me , I I I, now attitude of society or complete lack of common sense. Then again it may be a combination of both in this world we now live in.

[da prez]

 Driving a 10 yard dump with a load of gravel and pulling a tag trailer with a back hoe , a car made a left turn in front of me. Then a second car shot out and I swerved to the right , snapped back to the left and saw the trailer tires come off the ground. I snapped back to the right trying to stay on the road and not rolling. The first car did not have enough room to pull out and the second one was a suicide stunt.  I stopped at the first place I could and called the owner. "Don" I said  , I have swerved for the last time to avoid an accident and killing myself. I told him what happened and went on to the job . Posted speed was 45 , I was doing 40 . This was not the first time this has happened.

                                             da prez

[cookiedough]

what is worse is the idiots cutting you off or in front of you will blame YOU for the accident since technically YOU hit the rear of their vehicle even though they either pulled in front of you or swerved in front of you without looking nor caring. 

This Sunday I saw 3 cycles,  one a LOUD HD,  one a larger sized on/off road dirt bike,  and the other in that group was a FAST crotch rocket driver.  The HD and dirt bike were fine, but his crotch rocket buddy had a death wish.  He weaved in/out of traffic and then would speed up to 90 mph or so blowing by everyone just to pull off on the next off ramp to wait for his 2 buddies to catch up and then speed up doing 90 mph again into the on ramp  catching up to his 2 buddies going my speed.  He done that about 4-5 times since I was following with the HD and dirt bike.    WHY??  Just to prove to himself he can go the fastest and think he is funny?  I see him pull off 1/2 mile ahead,  then wait alongside the on ramp until he saw us coming, then let them go past him and GUN IT onto the on ramp coming up doing 70mph+ onto the on ramp and blow by us all again.  IDIOT!

[gordonv]

And this is why  bought a quality dash cam that records everything I'm doing, and even has the GPS turned on so that my speed is recorded. I now never speed, and since I
m usually working, I'm paid by the hour, I just don't care.

As for that accident, I knocked a bicyclist off their bicycle, because I say they failed to yield. I didn't like the other bicycle "witnesses" saying that I should have yielded, so I went out that afternoon and spent the $240 for it. No more second guessing, and no more "eye witnesses" who don't know what they actually say.

Then here, even if you hit the "rear" of a car, that doesn't apply unless you hit the actual rear/behind from behind. From the side says they did not have the time to safely accomplish their turn, and they should never had done it.

[sandy]

I drive a school bus in Scottsdale, AZ. The self centered egomaniacs with more $$$ than good sense do stunts around a bus that terrify me when I have students on board. The worst of the worst are usually in black beemers and Audis but not limited to those vehicles. They treat the stop sign on a bus the same as any stop sign or red light. I have parents drop their kids off to get on the bus and then blow past the stop signs. WTF!!!

[old2soon]

I believe I've mentioned this one before but here goes again ANYWHO. At the time this took place I was driving a long hood International tractor with a 53 foot trailer out behind. Salt Lake City Utah. Traffic thru town on I-80. We are moving fairly good fer a Saturday. All I wanted to do wuz git thru Salt Lake and git er stretched back out on 80 West. Some male doofus In a Japanese econo box of some sort cut in front of me-I was in the center lane and he came from the left lane-sooooo cursed close I could NOT see the front end of his car when he came in font!   AND there were 3 little ones in the back seat and all I could think was-I've KILLED everyone!   But even as I was thinkin the worst instincts took over and I was hard on the whoa pedal. Gradually the faded blue turd he was driving started to come into my view from my high seat. It HAD to have been extremely close to a tragedy.  The part that REALLY pissed me off you ask? Tween me and the semi I was following was a good 6 or 7 car lengths of room!   Guy or gal do THAT kaka when they alone I DO git some upset.   BUT when you put YOUR OWN Children at risk for No apparent reason I M H O you DESERVE a speedy one way ticket to meet lucifer.  :evil:Far far too many incidents to relate here BUT with more than 35 years out there-do the math. RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

And this is why  bought a quality dash cam that records everything I'm doing, and even has the GPS turned on so that my speed is recorded. I now never speed, and since I
m usually working, I'm paid by the hour, I just don't care.

This seems like that path to take.   I'll be looking at Dash Cameras this weekend.   There are simply too many idiots on the road not paying attention to what they should be doing, driving.    Texting, phone calls, idiots on meds or drugs/alcohol.    I'm simply amazed at some of the things I see every day I hit the road.    I really do like the travel and going places I haven't been before but, the number of dumb asses out there is increasing daily.   

[Hook#3287]

Dash cam

Ive used one for a few years now and it's almost second nature too check it's running when I start.

Thankfully, I haven't  used it yet as a witness.

But the way some of these hot shots drive on the winding back country roads I travel, some day I will.

[czuch]

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[john]

             people ARE idiots ...  not invincible     
                        expect the unexpected ...
         nothing IS that important ..        ???
               just because traffic is bumper to bumper ...
                                                traveling slow or fast
               does not mean we have ride the bumper in front of us
                          we can always make .. leave plenty of room for them ...
                                           be safe .. keep right ..
                            pay attention to what you are doing
                     it works for me
                              forty nine years and so far so good       $0.02
         
                   
                      keep your distance in traffic ...       

[BF]

Dash Cams.....get one. 

The one I have is made by Garmin. 

I don't drive truck, but I do drive around bunches and bunches of maniacal tourists all of the time.  Like what happens to you, they constantly cut you off in traffic, tail-gate you, and in general...drive like poop. 

You have to defend yourself. 

My Dad used to run a Moving & Storage warehouse back when I was growing up.  I grew up around driving trucks.  Grew up driving trucks.  Drove for my dad and several companies back when I was young.  I fully understand what your going through. 

THE best defense that you can have these days is a dash cam....get one.