dangerous jobs

[Lyion]

not all but a good portion of the truck drivers around here drive like assholes. they cut you off and think nothing of it. Even the stupid fucks that have one of those " how is my driving call this number" thing on the back. I call it every time even thou it prolly dont do shit. This morning I saw a trucker pass someone on the median. i couldnt grab my cell fast enough to take a pic. Gotta love the NJTP

But... That's Jersey dude. It's all of ya'll.

[Gypsiyee]

No blanket statement is truth, regardless of how lucky you've been to never have endured one bad driver

10 years and you've never had a problem, but in my *second year* driving I got hit and run by one coming off the interstate and cutting over 3 lanes and barely even slowing, not looking, and certainly not yielding at the sign.

Really, grats to you for never having encountered a bad trucker, but to say they're all safe and responsible as a blanket is as untrue as saying they're all hicks.

[Narrock]

Y'all have some legitimate gripes about some truckers. I see it too. In California, the truck speed limit is also 55. I cruise about 58, and all the other trucks pass me. Sometimes I see truckers going like 70, and that's pretty dangerous. From what I've personally witnessed I'd have to say that local drivers are the worst. The OTR/longhaulers drive very courteously and safely for the most part. The hiring manager at Ferrell told me that dispatchers routes all the trips at 45mph because it's such a dangerous load to be carrying... a collision or overturn could be disastrous. He said that I can go faster, but that 55 is the max, and it's up to me.

[10sun]

Y'all have some legitimate gripes about some truckers. I see it too. In California, the truck speed limit is also 55. I cruise about 58, and all the other trucks pass me. Sometimes I see truckers going like 70, and that's pretty dangerous. From what I've personally witnessed I'd have to say that local drivers are the worst. The OTR/longhaulers drive very courteously and safely for the most part. The hiring manager at Ferrell told me that dispatchers routes all the trips at 45mph because it's such a dangerous load to be carrying... a collision or overturn could be disastrous. He said that I can go faster, but that 55 is the max, and it's up to me.

I agree whole heartedly that OTR/Longhaulers are very courteous & safe... as I stated before I've never had a problem on the I-80 between Ohio & New Jersey route which is largely a long haul route as there isn't much local in Pennsylvania on that stretch. It is about 480 miles of bumblefuck towns. I prefer when the speed limit is 65 mph for semis as I can travel with them... when I hit that groove with them, my gas mileage improves tremendously as I match pace with them going up and down the hills.

[The Kizzy]

Y'all have some legitimate gripes about some truckers. I see it too. In California, the truck speed limit is also 55. I cruise about 58, and all the other trucks pass me. Sometimes I see truckers going like 70, and that's pretty dangerous. From what I've personally witnessed I'd have to say that local drivers are the worst. The OTR/longhaulers drive very courteously and safely for the most part. The hiring manager at Ferrell told me that dispatchers routes all the trips at 45mph because it's such a dangerous load to be carrying... a collision or overturn could be disastrous. He said that I can go faster, but that 55 is the max, and it's up to me.

Just because you feel safe and comfortable going over the speed limit or the recommended speed for a load, does not mean the drivers around you trust you going those speeds. Why can't you just drive the speed limit and not break the law by going 3 mph over? Does that 3mph even really make a difference? I hope youget pulled over and ticketed. And before you even ask, I NEVER go over the speed limit, not even 2 miles.

[10sun]

Y'all have some legitimate gripes about some truckers. I see it too. In California, the truck speed limit is also 55. I cruise about 58, and all the other trucks pass me. Sometimes I see truckers going like 70, and that's pretty dangerous. From what I've personally witnessed I'd have to say that local drivers are the worst. The OTR/longhaulers drive very courteously and safely for the most part. The hiring manager at Ferrell told me that dispatchers routes all the trips at 45mph because it's such a dangerous load to be carrying... a collision or overturn could be disastrous. He said that I can go faster, but that 55 is the max, and it's up to me.

Just because you feel safe and comfortable going over the speed limit or the recommended speed for a load, does not mean the drivers around you trust you going those speeds. Why can't you just drive the speed limit and not break the law by going 3 mph over? Does that 3mph even really make a difference? I hope youget pulled over and ticketed. And before you even ask, I NEVER go over the speed limit, not even 2 miles.

3 mph makes a difference between being stuck behind grandma drivers who might suddenly slam on their brakes for whatever reason tickles their fancy & those who have the ability to drive safely at a few miles over the speed limit.

[The Kizzy]

Its called a speed limit for a reason. It is what they have deemed safe to drive in those conditions.

[Narrock]

I don't know if you're trying to funny or not Janet, but 58 mph is a very safe speed for trucks. One time when I was heading up I-5 toward Redding at 2am I was going 62 because there were no other cars around. A CHP officer passed me going around 70. They know that even though the trucker speed limit is 55, going a few miles over that is safe... especially late at night when there's hardly any traffic.

[Arlos]

Speed limits are generally BS, except possibly those on sharp curves. Remember what was it, 10 years ago, when all the freeways maxed out at 55mph speed limit? If that was TRULY the "maximum safe speed", then how is it that they magically became safe for going 65mph as soon as the laws changed? Roads didn't change, just the laws did, and lo and behold the speed limits rose! Sometimes even up to 70mph here in CA, and up to 90+ in Nevada and Montana. Oh yeah, 55mph was REALLY as fast as you could go in safety! suuuuuure, now pull the other one.

Certainly in adverse conditions, such as heavy rain, thick fog, snow, ice, etc. adhering to the speed limit (or even going slower) becomes critical, as the conditions have degraded the safe conditions. But a freeway with little traffic that is effectively straight except for mild curves... bullshit 55 is the maximum "safe" speed.

-Arlos

[araby]

I drive like I'm in race car.

[Tikker]

Speed limits are generally BS, except possibly those on sharp curves. Remember what was it, 10 years ago, when all the freeways maxed out at 55mph speed limit? If that was TRULY the "maximum safe speed", then how is it that they magically became safe for going 65mph as soon as the laws changed? Roads didn't change, just the laws did, and lo and behold the speed limits rose! Sometimes even up to 70mph here in CA, and up to 90+ in Nevada and Montana. Oh yeah, 55mph was REALLY as fast as you could go in safety! suuuuuure, now pull the other one.

Certainly in adverse conditions, such as heavy rain, thick fog, snow, ice, etc. adhering to the speed limit (or even going slower) becomes critical, as the conditions have degraded the safe conditions. But a freeway with little traffic that is effectively straight except for mild curves... bullshit 55 is the maximum "safe" speed.

-Arlos

tire technology makes a difference too

[Gypsiyee]

take no offense as i mean none Janet, but often times Ive found that people who refuse to go the 3 mph over the speed limit to at least keep up with traffic cause just as many accidents as those who weave in and out of traffic as it causes people to slam on their brakes and quick jump around etc. there's nothing wrong with keeping up with the flow of traffic in a regular vehicle, which is generally about 5mph over. i'd be hard pressed to find a cop who pulls him over for 3mph over the limit :p

[Arlos]

Indeed, I've seen a car get pulled over and ticketed for driving the speed limit in the fast lane because they were impeding the flow of traffic.

-Arlos

[araby]

I drive 5-7 over unless I'm in 40 or under area...which means you probably need to drive slowly.

All other times I drive the car like I have somewhere to go with obstacles along the way and as if someone is trying to take me out or keep me from getting there. This helps in the morning drive..until it's two lanes. I'm careful not to pass in ridiculous areas with curves...

the oak trees line the highway and they are close, hit one of those and you're dead. too many people are assholes when passing.

ten over, on the interstate. with buddies.

[Gaazy]

holy fucking shit. I had a long ass post about this and somehow hit the Back key. I will redo it tomorrow, or tonight if I cant sleep

[ClakarEQ]

I always speed, often times 20mph over and I'm getting passed often. Perhaps where you live folks actually obey the speeding laws but in MI, the moment you hit the freeway, you best speed or get run over.

As for truckers, I most often give them all the courtesy I can because I know from hauling a 28' travel trailer behind my f150 can get hairy, let alone a "truck train" type setup I've seen on the i80/90. They don't allow that in MI though, only 2 trailers.

I've seen my fair share of asshole truckers though too, pulling out into traffic when they shouldn't, using gear breaking instead of hitting the breaks (IMHO this is dangerous), etc.

BTW, happy thanksgiving for those that celebrate it

[Harrison]

I always speed, often times 20mph over and I'm getting passed often. Perhaps where you live folks actually obey the speeding laws but in MI, the moment you hit the freeway, you best speed or get run over.

That's really, really intelligent.

[Evermore]

on the NJ TP the cops pass you like race cars. I have passed patrol cars over 90mph and they dont do anything. It crazy. I got passed this morning by one of those new Lamborghini's and i was doing 90. i can only guess how fast he was going but it only took him about 3 to 4 sec to disappear. Any drive this road besides me?

[Ouchyfish]

It's true in certain parts of Texas too. Fuckers drive like maniac assholes, 20 over the limit and get furious when you don't.

[10sun]

on the NJ TP the cops pass you like race cars. I have passed patrol cars over 90mph and they dont do anything. It crazy. I got passed this morning by one of those new Lamborghini's and i was doing 90. i can only guess how fast he was going but it only took him about 3 to 4 sec to disappear. Any drive this road besides me?

I hate driving in New Jersey, but nowhere near as much as Ohio... land of the people who rarely if ever break 65 mph in 65 mph zones.

Worst startle I had was while working in Jersey & speeding along to work at about 90 mph. Cop shows up out of nowhere behind me and turns on his lights. I pull over and he just whizzes right past me easily cruising at 100 mph.

-Adam

[Evermore]

Rotf i have seen them do that but yet to have that happen to me personally

[ClakarEQ]

I always speed, often times 20mph over and I'm getting passed often. Perhaps where you live folks actually obey the speeding laws but in MI, the moment you hit the freeway, you best speed or get run over.

That's really, really intelligent.

I didn't know you owned a car, but thanks for the kudos (/chime in Sammy Haggar "I can't drive 55" LOL)

[Harrison]

When you slam into a wall at 90 I'll remember this post.

[Tikker]

it's overall safer to drive at the speed of traffic than to adhere to a semi arbitrary speed limit

[Harrison]

Yeah, that is very obvious, but to say you just typically fly along at 20mph over the speed limit for an equally arbitrary reason...is fucking moronic.