Irreverent Road Sign Messages

Believe it or not, I am EXTREMELY lucky to even be here this morning to post on the FR. Actually I am very lucky to even be in this world. Why? Last night an IDIOT trucker hauling a load of cars and minivans, almost cause me to fatally crash. What happened was that I was on I-95 driving south around 10:45 PM last night here in South Florida when suddenly that truck smacked into the side of my car when he foolishly tried to change lanes too quickly. He had plenty of room in front or behind me but for some stupid reason (fatigue?) he started changing lanes right into my car. It happened very quickly and the MORON continued changing lanes from the lane to my left, into my car even after the sound of banging metal started. I was basically shoved into the lane to my right and LUCKILY there were no cars there so a big crash was averted.

The trucker kept on his merry way and after my initial shock I sped up to take down his license number. As I did so I noticed, that despite his heavy load of cars and minivans, he was going over 70 MPH and was weaving a lot. I called 911 and gave them the trucker's license # in order to get that IDIOT off the road.

I then pulled off the highway to check the damage. To my surprise the only damage to the car was a bit of metal grinding on the side of my rear view mirror on the door. Also, because my drivers side window won't roll up or down, I assume that the side window was shoved against the window and caused it to go off-track.

Anyway, I don't know if that trucker was drunk, on drugs, or merely fatigued. I don't know about the first two but if the trucker was fatigued, I think I know of one small way to combat driver fatigue on I-95.

Here is my suggestion. Right now they are erecting lots of electronic road signs over the highway. Currently they just have test messages but in the future they will have let the drivers know about road conditions. What I suggest is that when the road conditions are good that instead of just saying "Road Conditions Good" I think the electronic highway signs should also post quirky but FUNNY messages in order to keep drivers alert.

Here are some of my examples of the quirky funny messages for the electronic road signs:

If these messages are posted then drivers would pay attention to them and at least be a bit more alert on the roads. Another benefit is that it would provide some fun for tourists visiting Florida and gives them another incentive to come down here. Of course, when road conditions are bad, that information would be posted but when things are clear the signs would revert to the quirky funny messages. After my experience last night I think it is VERY important to keep drivers alert and these type of signs would be very helpful. Oh, and the funny messages would have to be constantly updated so the drivers won't become bored by reading recycled messages.

I have also have a selfish motive for making this suggestion since the life I save by keeping drivers more alert might be my own. But it could also be yours....

Wow Pj...you are lucky.

As you stated, I posted my message in the FLorida area. A friend of a friend of mine is desperately trying to locate a White Landscaping truck that plowed into him on the 95 in Boca last Tuesday. His trunk was pushed up so he could only see a portion of the truck that hit him and he was hurt so he stayed in the car and called 911 ... and the truck took off! He didn't get the license number or the name of the company...and this was during a busy time of the day yet NO ONE bothered to get any info for him. He is asking that if anyone in this area sees a White landscaping (he thinks Dodge) truck with the front end smashed in with some black paint to please let (me) know.
I HATE the 95...it's a 'deathway'.

I'm in the heavy-haul trucking industry in Florida.
It sounds like you were driving in the: NO-ZONE

Trucks and buses have big No-Zones (blind spots) in which cars "disappear" from the view of the truck or bus driver. No-Zones are areas where crashes are more likely to occur. Educating drivers about the No-Zones may reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from these kinds of crashes.

1. SIDE NO-ZONES...on both sides. They're much larger than your car's blind spots. If you can't see the driver's face in the side-view mirror, the driver can't see you. If that driver needs to swerve or change lanes for any reason, you're in big trouble! Don't "hang out" on either side of trucks or buses!

2. REAR NO-ZONES...They also huge No-Zones directly behind them. The driver can't see your car there, and you can't see what's going on ahead of you. If the truck or bus driver brakes or stops suddenly, you have no place to go and could end up running into them. Avoid Tailgating!

Also, never cross behind a truck that is backing up! Hundreds of motorists and pedestrians are killed or injured, each year, by ignoring trucks backing up. Truck drivers have no rear-view mirror and may not see you cutting in behind them. Pay Close Attention!

3. FRONT NO-ZONE...You could get "rear-ended" by a truck or bus if you "cut-in front" too soon after passing, then immediately slow down. If you do this, truck and bus drivers are forced to slam on their brakes. They need nearly twice the time and room to stop as cars. So, when passing, look for the whole front of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front, and then don't slow down! Pass Safely!

4. WIDE RIGHT TURNS...Truck and bus drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely make a right turn. They can't see cars directly behind or beside them. Trying to "squeeze" in between the commercial vehicle and the curb is an invitation for disaster! Avoid the "Squeeze Play"!

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