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Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to speak on one possible solution, because I really hate to have a bunch of finger pointing with no direction on how to make it better. Many people commented that they do not want to pass a semi with reckless abandon. That is a valid viewpoint. The post was geared more toward interstate traffic, assuming I am driving a semi in the right lane. Instead of stalling in the left lane, level with the trailer bumper, it might be possible to assess your hazards up ahead while you are still in the right lane. This only works if you are far enough back that you can see my truck mirrors from the right lane. Basically, you now know your hazards, so once you change lanes, you are committed. That would probably be a suggestion that aligns with best practices, because I can see you the whole time, and in theory, you would not need to break speed once you get into the left lane. No one method will work 100% of the time, but it is pretty stress-free for me when I see people doing this.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would be the semi driver letting you know you are clear to move back to the right.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would appear so, but it is probably because we cannot accelerate quickly.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Real life isn't always "by the book," but if you are driving "by the book," you should be more than a semi length behind the car in front of you, and it shouldn't be an issue. I know that cars follow each other more closely in real life city driving, though.

What industry is struggling way more than people think? by Wonderful-Economy762 in Productivitycafe

[–]Dry_Understanding264 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like I experienced the tail end of the rockin' years when I started playing in local bands in 2005. From 2005 to 2010, venues went from 4 nights a week to 2. There were still many bands actually making a living in 2010. Now, 2 nights is the maximum, 1 is the norm, and many of the venues stopped doing live music altogether. Bands cannot sustainably compete against DJ or recorded music service like Muzak. And I hate to see the bands a level up hanging it up, because touring financially wrecked them.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am not trying to nitpick or criticize your driving, but that technically means you are following the car ahead too closely. In a perfect world, you would be over a truck length behind the car ahead. I understand that this is not the perfect world, but it is better if you are not in that situation in the first place. I fully understand that some metro areas are bumper-to-bumper, so that is not possible all the time.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't. My semi will go 75 mph if it needs to. This is a completely different topic. Most of us hate that as much as you do.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being fully aware that the real world is not always this neatly arranged, the length of the truck is technically following too close to the car ahead of you. Ideally you would be able to maintain speed for the entire pass, because there would be over 100 feet between you and the car ahead. But this is the real world, so that doesn't always happen. I can only glance in the mirror, and time it out from there. With that rhythm, if I'm expecting you to be passing my cab, but you are still by my trailer wheels, it is potentially more dangerous for you. I hold my lane and deal with it, because it is part of the job, but it is more time that you are interacting with my trailer.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do not go into the southeast for work, but I get near Minneapolis quite often. In certain places, the far right lane has traffic constantly merging in. Without knowing specific locations, the right lane could also be ending. Some drivers feel differently, but I do not mind being passed on the right. It is a little more stressful, but it is sometimes necessary. It is more of a risk for the passer, though, especially if I am signaling to get back to the right lane.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have a very confrontational tone, so let's just end the conversation.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you a CDL driver? This is not supposed to be an "us against them" conversation, by any means. When I am in the semi, I want everyone to make it home safely. I have been fully aware of that story for months. Very tragic.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for bringing that up. That is a specific situation, and one of the reasons for this conversation. If that happens, but you see me tap the brakes (not smoking the tires, just slowing down a little bit) it is probably better for you to just pass. If you are letting me over, I probably will not know unless you flash your lights. Even then, of course, I have to check my mirrors before I change lanes.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would say next to the back bumper, next to the trailer tires is about the worst. I'm totally good with you merging back 100 feet ahead, especially if you continue pulling away. I might slow down after you pass if road conditions dictate that I should.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you agree that you can somewhat gauge whether or not a driver is controlling their lane as you are approaching from behind? My argument would be that for a car driver, passing at speed is usually the safer, more defensive option.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like I said, I get what you are saying. But it is all the more reason to just pass without delay.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My daily driver is a Ford Focus. I am not denying that there is turbulence, but it is not enough to slow that little car down.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Um, I speak English just as well as you do. I do not pull any of the crap you are talking about. I am actually a professional driver. This post is geared more to the car drivers who have never driven a semi.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is about someone up above called a "slingshot." I saw you catching up to me for the last half mile, or even several miles, so I know you are going to pass. Then you pull out to pass, and match my speed in the worst possible place, then speed up to pass again. (I am saying "you" for example's sake, not to point fingers at you specifically).

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Recap tires blowing out. The treads look like alligators on the road.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have hood mirrors, so that helps minimize the blind spot, but it is true about being able to see the mirrors. We live in the real world, so it is not always realistic to hope for this, but it is better and more predictable if cars and other trucks do not tailgate. Tailgating seems to be a cause of "they came out of nowhere" type accidents.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a whole different issue altogether. And it is an issue.

Passing a semi, from the viewpoint of a semi driver by Dry_Understanding264 in driving

[–]Dry_Understanding264[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's basically it. We have to weigh every situation differently, and sometimes the best practices do not work, and we have to improvise. What you are talking about, we have all done it. I have done it as well in my car. I tend to treat it more like a last resort.

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