Let's talk serious for a moment...

Let's talk about a very serious subject for a change. Like life or death. Something that I take VERY personally as the wife of a driver and the passenger in this black beauty...

Being up nearly 7 feet in the air while going down the busy streets and rush hour traffic has definitely given me a new perspective after going through several states. One thing in common I've noticed, it doesn't matter the zip code, people are putting their lives (and mine) in danger every time we roll out onto the road.

It's estimated that 85-90% of all motor vehicle accidents that involve commercial vehicles (semis, hotshots, sprinter vans, etc) are attributed to distracted driving and aggressive behavior behind the wheel. And when a semi truck is involved (usually not at the fault of the driver but instead it's the smaller vehicles around them) that becomes fuel for fire in many current legislative moves currently ongoing in congress .... Do a quick google search on the newest hot topic of governing all semi trucks in the name "safety" and see how quickly road rage will arise if it passes. Imagine driving behind 2 trucks that literally cannot drive faster than 62mph at any given time trying to pass each other...

Accidents involving semi trucks went down to less than 5% during the pandemic as a result of the roadways being free from the majority of 4 wheel vehicles. Interestingly enough that statistic is bringing quite a bit of attention in the non-trucking legislative world as to the reality of who the "unsafe drivers" really are. Don't get me wrong, there are some horrible, unsafe "steering wheel holders" out there, there is no denying that. But the majority of commercial drivers practice safe driving habits in an effort to get home to their family and lives and protect those around them.

Here are a few examples of things I've seen just in the last 11 days in the truck while driving across the country:

Unsafe speeds- It seems as though the speed limit is more of a suggestion rather than a law. We were passed by a Tesla going 92mph (according to the road side radar) in a work zone where the speed limit was 45mph. Seriously, there is no reason to put everyone's life at risk to get up the road a little faster than the person beside you. None.

Distracted driving-Nearly every other car we've passed has a driver on the phone. Daryl has mentioned several times that being up in the truck gives viewing access to see exactly what is going on in each vehicle (there is some crap that goes on behind the wheels of 4 wheelers let me tell ya LOL). Everything from reading books, putting on make up, changing clothes, digging around in the backseat, other "extra curricular activities" that I won't expound on here, but you get the idea...Everything but driving is taking place...

Pulling out in front of rigs- That's the easiest way to lose your life or cause irreparable damage. I've lost count as to how many times vehicles have pulled out in front of us while we were driving the speed limit and made my heart nearly stop being terrified that we would plow them over because of their carelessness. That is something that happens all of the time. I can only imagine the guilt drivers have who have experienced this nonsensical tragedy.

An appropriate amount of space between your bumper and the front of the truck should be no less than 4 car lengths of space AT A MINIMUM. Even that is cutting it close because the average stopping distance for a fully loaded semi (roughly 80,000lbs) is longer than the length of a football field in an emergency break situation.

These machines do not stop on a dime...I can't tell you how many times someone has whipped around us, and it's usually from the right side of the truck which is literally just asking to become another fatality statistic because it's one of the biggest blind spots on these trucks. Rule of thumb...If you can't see the driver in the mirrors on the side of the truck, the driver inside can't see you and likely has no idea you are there...That's dangerous territory to be in...These iron horses are gentle giants until unnecessarily provoked and the 4 wheeler will lose nearly every time.

And last but not least, tailgating/following too closely behind a big truck-Remember those blind spots I was talking about? Directly behind a semi is another place to hang out if you wish to meet your maker real quick and in a hurry. They can't see you back there. It takes a person roughly 1 second to see, process, and react to brakes (if the tailgater is paying attention and not on their phones or doing god knows what else). That type of accident never ends well, ever. The DOT bumper on the back of trailers will cut the top of the car off and make it a convertible and decapitate the driver nearly every time. That's not a fun scene for emergency responders or the drivers of the truck to experience, so be mindful of that as well.

All of these dangerous driving habits that I've witnessed over the last week and a half are just a drop in a huge pond of problems.

I can't even imagine being a driver for years dealing with it day in and day out! No wonder they are tired. Not only are they having to deal with long hours of waiting and not getting paid (that's another topic of discussion), not being able to use the restroom or get proper sleep, they have to worry about accidently taking lives because of those that drive poorly and inattentively around them.

Now...What are some things that you as the amazing drivers and human beings can do to help your fellow big rig driver out you may ask?

Always, always, always leave space for the big trucks to get around. They are contending with wind drafts, weight shifts in the loads they are hauling, road conditions, "safety" sensors going off in the truck, and about 20 other factors that they have to be continuously assessing, addressing, and contemplating.

Have patience when they are moving around you. We get it, we all have places to be. We all have busy lives. We all hate being stuck in traffic. Don't be impatient, they are just as ready to be out of the traffic jam lol

Signal your intentions (that blinker works amazingly when used). Speaking of blinkers, be mindful when a truck indicates that they are changing lanes. They are doing so most likely because they are seeing something well up ahead that they are try to give space (think about move over laws) or they've been notified via CB radio of a potential hazard.

And definitely, always, without question, encourage your little ones to give the universal "horn honk" symbol! (or do it yourself LOL) That makes a driver's whole day seeing that! It makes them feel seen by those around them, appreciated and included!

Remember, give them a "brake"! Without trucks you'd be hungry, homeless, and naked LOL

We're shutting down in Laramie, WY for the night after a nearly 700 mile drive!

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