What Ever Happened to the Days of the Friendly Truck Driver?
Back then, I thought that truck drivers were the most courteous people on the road. They would always move over to the appropriate lane to let cars pass and would smile, wave or honk at us kids. My how thing have changed!
Perhaps it's because I am not a cute little kid anymore that my interactions with truck drivers on the road have changed considerably. In fact, some of my worst driving experiences as an adult have involved truckers. I have almost been run over by an 18-wheeler as I attempted to merge from one interstate onto another. I have even had truck drivers practically run me over as I worked feverishly to change lanes in rush hour traffic in order to get out of their way.
I no longer raise my arm in the air and pull it down twice when I see a truck driver on the highway, for fear of them flipping the bird at me or throwing an inanimate object at my car. And now, instead of expecting that a trucker will move over and allow me to pass them on the highway, I normally am the one to get over so that I can steer clear of danger.
While it would not be fair to make generalizations about all truck drivers (I've met a few who are actually quite decent human beings - especially when they're not behind the wheel), I long for the days when the nonverbal exchange between automobile drivers and truck drivers was positive and the rules of the road were obeyed.
Honesty, I perceive many of today's truck drivers to be road bullies. Instead of taking our lunch money, they use intimidation to force us out of lanes so that they can get to where they're going. Not everyone is intimated by truck drivers, but I am. The size of trucks alone causes me anxiety as I imagine the damage that could be caused to my vehicle and my body if I should one day not be able to get out of harm's way in time.
Every now and then I am pleasantly surprised by a trucker who does not appear to be in a major hurry, is conscientious and follows the rules of the road. But based on my observations, other truckers become agitated by these types of drivers and go out of their way to get around them, even if it means abruptly cutting over in front of other drivers on the road.
Since history often has a way of repeating itself, I do hope that one day my great-great grandchildren will be able to enjoy the experience I once had of looking up at a friendly truck driver with respect and admiration as he or she honks their horn and smiles, glad to have moved over a lane if for no other reason than to see this innocent, happy soul smiling back at them. I also hope they will not be telling their kids about their great-great grandmother who was run over by a truck driver...
Published by Dr. Jamie Yvette - Featured Education Contributor
Dr. Jamie Yvette is a passionate and versatile writer whose expansive library on AC is a reflection of her diverse writing interests. View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentEvery comment made here may be true, but it still remains that trucker drier's attitude have changed over the years. I'm 57 years old and I had the same experiences as a child.Then one night I was driving a VW Bug from Cincinnati to Lexington to go to College. I was driving late as I was a relatively new driver and didn't want to deal with traffic. I somehow got between 2 semis, and they played chicken with me the whole 75 or so miles. I was terrified and could not get away from them! I could see them laughing as they kept passing me and trapping me between them. I could hardly control the little bug as their back draft would suck the little car. What I wouldn't have given for a state trooper! SO, yea... trucker attitudes have changed!
And what do you do John? What do you drive? You ever sit around the phone waiting for it to ring for weeks at a time being afraid that some putts in a compact car may have ran your loved one off the road in the middle of the night? No I bet your safe in a warm bed with that person by your side every night. Oh the great burdens of being John.
Everything you own, everything you eat, drink, wear etc, is brought to you by truckers?
Oh, Please! If that is true, perhaps it's time to reduce our dependence on these bullies who think they have a devine right to "their space" on the roads and to deference from everyone else because of
"oh, the great burdens of driving a truck."
I agree that courtesy on the road has diminished, but I think that cars are just as bad as truckers- if not worse. I was married to a driver and now have friends who drive truck. The biggest complaint I hear from drivers is that cars follow too closely, cut off trucks, pass on the right (unsafe!), and commit a number of minor traffic offenses that could cause an accident. A good friend believes that everyone should learn to drive a truck before being allowed to get a regular drivers license. I'm starting to think that is a great idea- if all car drivers understood what it is to drive a truck, there may be less frustration all around and more courtesy all around.
Chalis, I appreciate your taking time to read this article and comment. I have the utmost respect for truck drivers who obey the rules of the road. I know quite well what is brought to me by truckers. I also happen to be the grandchild of a former truck driver who is now deceased. He loved being on the road and he loved meeting and interacting with all kinds of people. I hope you actually read my article closely enough to understand that I was not bashing ALL truck drivers, nor was I undermining the important role that truck drivers serve. At the same time, I recognize that many people have important roles and abuse them. It happens every day. Yes, there are individuals who suddenly pull out in front of trucks, but there are also truck drivers who make errors in judgment that have disastrous consequences. The purpose of this article was not to take away from those who do their job well, but to get the attention of those who don't. Add a Comment | Message this CP
Everything you own, everything you eat, drink, wear etc, is brought to you by truckers. They face road conditions that others would not,just to get there loads there on time. They go weeks without seeeing their families, without a goodnights sleep in a desent bed, most of the time not being able to eat a decent meal or take a decent shower. Just so average people can pull out in front of a 43,000 pound+ tracter trailer, that can NOT stop on a dime, can not move through traffic the way cars do.Next time consider this before judgeing truckers, cause if you got it, they brought it.
I remember those days. There was a time it was a trucker who'd stop and help someone stranded on the highway. Nowadays, they just drive on by. They might call ahead on their CB, they might not. They have little respect for those of us "four-wheelers", as they call us. Truckers just aren't what they used to be.
It's a shame that you have had some negative experiences with lorry drivers. In Europe, you can still see some friendly lorry drivers and some will wave at you as you overtake them.
Sophie
Great read, and unfortunately mostly true, to a point where my wife refuses to drive on the freeways. Traffic problems are not all related to truckers, as the good Doctor pointed out. For the absolutely most dangerous, hair-raising, life-threatening driving you'll ever do (and I've been to all of the lower 48 states and a half dozen other countries), come drive through Westminster, California. It's within a few miles from my home, but I never go there if I can avoid it.
I would have to agree with you Carol. Truck drivers are just a microcosm of our society. Road bullies are everywhere!!! However, size does often make bullies more intimidating and truckers have that advantage in the vehicles that they drive.