Open letter to dump truck drivers....
- Thread starter andrewg
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We have 18wheel gravel haulers going up a 18mile up hill with one passing zone at about the 6mi marker. One will be traveling at 20MPHand the other one, traveling at 20 1/2 MPH will take the entire passing zone to get around the first one thus stranding a line of cars eating diesel fumes for almost an hour to get up the hill. That says nothing about the amount of gravel being deposited along the way.
It almost seems like they do it on purpose.
It almost seems like they do it on purpose.
Originally Posted By: Garak
It's much the same here. They need more enforcement, that's all. These days with the plethora of digital cameras, all it would take is a bit of commitment to get some pictures taken and turned over to enforcement agencies.
People are too busy partaking in distracted driving to even control their vehicles safely and predictably, let alone watching what other people are doing.
It's much the same here. They need more enforcement, that's all. These days with the plethora of digital cameras, all it would take is a bit of commitment to get some pictures taken and turned over to enforcement agencies.
People are too busy partaking in distracted driving to even control their vehicles safely and predictably, let alone watching what other people are doing.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: dparm
People are too busy partaking in distracted driving to even control their vehicles safely and predictably, let alone watching what other people are doing.
True, but they could film it as a movie on their cell phone and text or tweet or whatever it is they do to get it to the enforcement agency, who could get two tickets for the price of one.
People are too busy partaking in distracted driving to even control their vehicles safely and predictably, let alone watching what other people are doing.
True, but they could film it as a movie on their cell phone and text or tweet or whatever it is they do to get it to the enforcement agency, who could get two tickets for the price of one.
Originally Posted By: kschachn
What I see a lot is where rocks trickle out of the bed because the gate isn't a tight seal. I haven't really seen rocks fly out of the top of the truck.
Then that's a valid complaint. The problem usually lies with the company being too cheap to fix it. The driver can write it up till he's blue in the face if he wants but it falls on deaf ears. And he cant afford to refuse to go to work and lose his job either.
Often trucks get blamed for broken windshields from rocks that were not lost out of the truck. 10 or 18 tires will pick up lots of rocks on the road. Flaps will slow the rocks down but they still get deposited on the road @ 50 mph or so.
What I see a lot is where rocks trickle out of the bed because the gate isn't a tight seal. I haven't really seen rocks fly out of the top of the truck.
Then that's a valid complaint. The problem usually lies with the company being too cheap to fix it. The driver can write it up till he's blue in the face if he wants but it falls on deaf ears. And he cant afford to refuse to go to work and lose his job either.
Often trucks get blamed for broken windshields from rocks that were not lost out of the truck. 10 or 18 tires will pick up lots of rocks on the road. Flaps will slow the rocks down but they still get deposited on the road @ 50 mph or so.
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Dear dump, gravel, cement, sand and asphalt haulers,
I am FED UP with the lot of you. For years now, I have had to tolerate sharing the road with you ingrates. I've been forgiving....patient...and about as tolerant as I am able to be. NO LONGER! Please tell me, WHY you think it's ok to travel the roads and interstates with your loads uncovered and many times peaked high enough to be OVER the highest part of the bedsides....spewing rocks and the like back upon those behind you?? Are you so lazy and inconsiderate that you just don't care? In the past ten years I have had to replace three windshields because of you. This doesn't even take into account the countless window chips I've had repaired. Surely, you've occasionally driven the roads in a passenger vehicle and have discovered, like the rest of us, the EXPENSIVE damage uncovered gravel trucks do to windshields and front ends?? I'm HIGHLY upset by this on your part. Every day that I drive to work I find you IDIOTS in gravel trucks HEAPING with gravel....covers neatly ROLLED UP toward the front of the load UNUSED....while you machine-gun every car in a 300 yard path behind you. Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine. Yes, I used to respect those in you profession. You were providing goods and services and assisting in building our infrastructure. Well, NO LONGER. I'm DONE with the lot of you. This includes cement mixers that seem to find it far too difficult to clean off ALL of the residue of cement that has accumulated on your vehicle. Instead, you prefer to be discourteous, rude, lazy, and an all around JERK.
From this point forward....I will be recording you on a smart phone and calling each and every one of your employers as well as the police. I will be making you PAY for every cracked, chipped and dented part of my vehicle that is damaged by YOU. You swine have brought this upon yourselves and I WILL make YOU responsible.
Good day.
Simple solution - don't follow them? They're work trucks, construction trucks, and sometimes (sometimes not) have signs stating 'DO NOT FOLLOW'. This should be common sense. They have tires with large tread grooves that sometimes pick up, hold, and then kick rocks when they come back onto pavement.
You also need to make a distinction - are these company trucks, or owner-operators? Owner-operators, as a rule, tend to take much, much better care of their equipment. However, if you have issue with one - let them know, curteously. They may not even realize it. [censored], they could back up, run over the front of your car, and literally have no idea it happened. Your car is insignificant to them. My dad is an owner/operator dump truck driver. He DID once back into a full size pickup, nearly destroying the entire front of that truck, and had no idea. Went to pull off, looked in his mirror and saw the pickup truck, and pulled over. Looked at the back of his trucka nd saw some paint pieces on his spreader pan. He went back and appologized to the man, and gave him all of his insurance info, and waited there with him until authorities and a tow vehicle showed up.
You've beenw arned though - antagonize a truck driver, and prepare to be hurt. They deal with enough [censored] on the road, let along somebody purposefully being an [censored] towards them. They are ~25,000 lbs empty - as much as 80k lbs (or more) loaded (I've seen neatly 100k on overloaded trucks - trucks with no extender or swing axles hauling 35 ton or more). He could make a quick lane change, run you over, and not think twice. Yes, I'm sure that driver might get into trouble, but you'd be ina world of danger, real quick. You may not like things that happen on the road, but be corteous to the people on the road for a living.
Dear dump, gravel, cement, sand and asphalt haulers,
I am FED UP with the lot of you. For years now, I have had to tolerate sharing the road with you ingrates. I've been forgiving....patient...and about as tolerant as I am able to be. NO LONGER! Please tell me, WHY you think it's ok to travel the roads and interstates with your loads uncovered and many times peaked high enough to be OVER the highest part of the bedsides....spewing rocks and the like back upon those behind you?? Are you so lazy and inconsiderate that you just don't care? In the past ten years I have had to replace three windshields because of you. This doesn't even take into account the countless window chips I've had repaired. Surely, you've occasionally driven the roads in a passenger vehicle and have discovered, like the rest of us, the EXPENSIVE damage uncovered gravel trucks do to windshields and front ends?? I'm HIGHLY upset by this on your part. Every day that I drive to work I find you IDIOTS in gravel trucks HEAPING with gravel....covers neatly ROLLED UP toward the front of the load UNUSED....while you machine-gun every car in a 300 yard path behind you. Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine. Yes, I used to respect those in you profession. You were providing goods and services and assisting in building our infrastructure. Well, NO LONGER. I'm DONE with the lot of you. This includes cement mixers that seem to find it far too difficult to clean off ALL of the residue of cement that has accumulated on your vehicle. Instead, you prefer to be discourteous, rude, lazy, and an all around JERK.
From this point forward....I will be recording you on a smart phone and calling each and every one of your employers as well as the police. I will be making you PAY for every cracked, chipped and dented part of my vehicle that is damaged by YOU. You swine have brought this upon yourselves and I WILL make YOU responsible.
Good day.
Simple solution - don't follow them? They're work trucks, construction trucks, and sometimes (sometimes not) have signs stating 'DO NOT FOLLOW'. This should be common sense. They have tires with large tread grooves that sometimes pick up, hold, and then kick rocks when they come back onto pavement.
You also need to make a distinction - are these company trucks, or owner-operators? Owner-operators, as a rule, tend to take much, much better care of their equipment. However, if you have issue with one - let them know, curteously. They may not even realize it. [censored], they could back up, run over the front of your car, and literally have no idea it happened. Your car is insignificant to them. My dad is an owner/operator dump truck driver. He DID once back into a full size pickup, nearly destroying the entire front of that truck, and had no idea. Went to pull off, looked in his mirror and saw the pickup truck, and pulled over. Looked at the back of his trucka nd saw some paint pieces on his spreader pan. He went back and appologized to the man, and gave him all of his insurance info, and waited there with him until authorities and a tow vehicle showed up.
You've beenw arned though - antagonize a truck driver, and prepare to be hurt. They deal with enough [censored] on the road, let along somebody purposefully being an [censored] towards them. They are ~25,000 lbs empty - as much as 80k lbs (or more) loaded (I've seen neatly 100k on overloaded trucks - trucks with no extender or swing axles hauling 35 ton or more). He could make a quick lane change, run you over, and not think twice. Yes, I'm sure that driver might get into trouble, but you'd be ina world of danger, real quick. You may not like things that happen on the road, but be corteous to the people on the road for a living.
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Also, if it's a fleet truck - figure out who the company is,a nd call the trucking company. Don't harrass the driver. It's like any other company. If there's a problem with equipment - you talk to management, let them handle it, not antagonize the hired help.
I haul aggregetes for a living. Tarps are mandatory here as are tailgates that close properly. Any material spilling out of a loose tailgate is considered an insecure load by the MTO (MTO is the same as the DOT in the US). A no tarp or an insecure load ticket is pretty expensive. Having new tires installed on a truck is the worst for throwing stones due to the deep tread groves on new tires. Any stones thrown from the tires is not our responsibility.
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I find they are pretty good here about covering loads. Never seen actual material spill from the bed, just sand sometimes blows out. The odd time stuff shakes out from undercarriage but that's why I don't follow closely enough to take a rock in the windshield.
If you become a pain for the local law enforcement by reporting constantly and going to the media, they might start doing their job.
Just be careful how much you annoy a driver, one could be having a bad day... and make yours much worse than a windshield chip.
Yesterday I was at least 400 yards back and with two cars in front of me. The trucks load was peaked above the cab....and as I saw the dust and stones flying off the top....I got hit with one that bounced off my hood and into my windshield. I had NO PLACE to escape to in order to avoid that. Cars started to go left and right (nearly causing an accident) to avoid further stone damage. I got a chip in my windshield.
Where I live, and drive, I see this almost daily. A few times I have to exit the interstate and take back rods to work (slowing me down considerably and forcing me to drive on a stop and go, traffic light infested roadway). It's gotten to be more than an annoyance. And it's also given me an almost hatred of truck drivers. It's also been my experience that they are on cell phones half the time and swerving in the lane. Idiots! I had THAT happen two days ago....almost got side munched by a double trailered rig. Jerk! I sped up, changed lanes....and did my best to get away from this clown.
It would be refreshing to just be able to drive to work without fear of being killed or having my vehicles damaged from these simpletons. I'm fed up I tell you.
Yeah, that does suck... Write your congressman about covering loads as it must make a huge difference in how much stuff comes off the truck. Here all the trucks have an automatic system that is a flick of a switch.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I find they are pretty good here about covering loads. Never seen actual material spill from the bed, just sand sometimes blows out. The odd time stuff shakes out from undercarriage but that's why I don't follow closely enough to take a rock in the windshield.
If you become a pain for the local law enforcement by reporting constantly and going to the media, they might start doing their job.
Just be careful how much you annoy a driver, one could be having a bad day... and make yours much worse than a windshield chip.
Yesterday I was at least 400 yards back and with two cars in front of me. The trucks load was peaked above the cab....and as I saw the dust and stones flying off the top....I got hit with one that bounced off my hood and into my windshield. I had NO PLACE to escape to in order to avoid that. Cars started to go left and right (nearly causing an accident) to avoid further stone damage. I got a chip in my windshield.
Where I live, and drive, I see this almost daily. A few times I have to exit the interstate and take back rods to work (slowing me down considerably and forcing me to drive on a stop and go, traffic light infested roadway). It's gotten to be more than an annoyance. And it's also given me an almost hatred of truck drivers. It's also been my experience that they are on cell phones half the time and swerving in the lane. Idiots! I had THAT happen two days ago....almost got side munched by a double trailered rig. Jerk! I sped up, changed lanes....and did my best to get away from this clown.
It would be refreshing to just be able to drive to work without fear of being killed or having my vehicles damaged from these simpletons. I'm fed up I tell you.
Yeah, that does suck... Write your congressman about covering loads as it must make a huge difference in how much stuff comes off the truck. Here all the trucks have an automatic system that is a flick of a switch.
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
I've never taken a driving course for the big rigs, but wouldn't the prudent thing be to do absolutely nothing if someone darted in front of you? Sure, hit the brakes; but as pointed out, losing control of one of these rigs is going to cause more carnage than hitting just one vehicle.
Seems to me that these trucks are vastly better at taking a hit than our small cars. Meaning, cutting off one is a bit likely cutting off your nose to spite your face: you're in a losing position every time.
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
I've never taken a driving course for the big rigs, but wouldn't the prudent thing be to do absolutely nothing if someone darted in front of you? Sure, hit the brakes; but as pointed out, losing control of one of these rigs is going to cause more carnage than hitting just one vehicle.
Seems to me that these trucks are vastly better at taking a hit than our small cars. Meaning, cutting off one is a bit likely cutting off your nose to spite your face: you're in a losing position every time.
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine.
Good luck. I hope this works in your favor.
Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine.
Good luck. I hope this works in your favor.
Originally Posted By: whip
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine.
Good luck. I hope this works in your favor.
You and me both
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off, flip you off, honk my horn, flash my lights....and do just about anything else I can do to make your day as crummy as you make mine.
Good luck. I hope this works in your favor.
You and me both
This is quite the delemma...obviously these trucks are needed to perform a task, and it certainly isn't the fault of other drivers if their vehicles are damaged by these trucks, so what is the solution? Crazy driving (like cutting off truck drivers and such) is not safe or smart for anyone involved. Taking it out on the driver is also not the answer. However, I do believe the owner of the truck should be responsible for ANY damages caused by their trucks, even if it was damage caused by a stone flung up by the truck's tire. Best thing to do is get the business name and number off of the truck, or if that's not available, take down the license number and report it to law enforcement. Don't try to take the law into your own hands...that will not end well...
I bet your congressman is to busy running this country to get involved with truck drivers
(I read that truck drivers will be in Washington soon to visit, maybe he/she can talk to them then).
(I see your are in Canada), never mind my comment.
(I read that truck drivers will be in Washington soon to visit, maybe he/she can talk to them then).
(I see your are in Canada), never mind my comment.
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To those who are concerned over my comments regarding 'cutting off' gravel truck drivers...etc.? No worries, I am not stupid enough to endanger my life (or others) by literally cutting directly in front of them and slamming on my brakes or something. But here's the deal....I've been very courteous of them by giving them needed space to merge, change lanes, or otherwise just move around on the interstate. I realize that they have a job to do and a full load to pull around. Have my courteous actions been returned in kind? Certainly NOT. Most are rude jerks that intentionally cut passenger cars off (including driving in the left two lanes as well as not moving over on uphill grades). In addition to the loads not being covered (peppering all those around them), they drive like they rule the road and have no desire to share it. I see many (on a daily basis) ride the bumper of the vehicle in front of them like they could stop on a dime in an emergency situation (not). Basically what I was saying was that I am DONE being courteous to these clowns and I will treat them EXACTLY how they treat others....but in a fashion so as not to endanger myself or others. And if I feel like flipping off or honking the [censored] out of my horn at one of these thugs? I won't hesitate...
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
I don't risk the life of anybody on the highway....ever. You've taken my post and the intent too literally. Why aren't YOU in an outrage over the habits of these truckers I describe if you are so concerned about safety and the lives of others? You are shooting the messenger.
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
"Do you expect me to give you courtesy on the roads from now on? No. I will cut you off" Doing this is a VERY bad idea. You will endanger your own life and the lives of others. If someone cuts me off like that I can assure you I will not kill myself trying to avoid them. You don't want to see the carnage a 136,000lb gravel truck can do to a small car.
I highly suggest rethinking your ideas you posted.
I fully agree. While I think all of us can feel your pain and anger, this is not the way to handle things. Even if the driver is having a happy day and in the middle of his moment of zen, cutting off another driver, regardless of what he or she is driving, puts everyone at risk.
You're driving a car. It's a thing, an object that will be replaced. It's a tool to transport you from "A" to "B." Is your defense of this "thing" really worth risking the lives of other people?
I don't risk the life of anybody on the highway....ever. You've taken my post and the intent too literally. Why aren't YOU in an outrage over the habits of these truckers I describe if you are so concerned about safety and the lives of others? You are shooting the messenger.
Originally Posted By: linkbelt
I bet your congressman is to busy running this country to get involved with truck drivers
(I read that truck drivers will be in Washington soon to visit, maybe he/she can talk to them then).
(I see your are in Canada), never mind my comment.
You must've been replying to someone else...I'm not in Canada...
I bet your congressman is to busy running this country to get involved with truck drivers
(I read that truck drivers will be in Washington soon to visit, maybe he/she can talk to them then).
(I see your are in Canada), never mind my comment.
You must've been replying to someone else...I'm not in Canada...
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