[Radix]

I have been a CDL driver for more than 40 years. Well, I no longer drive, but I am completely qualified.

Every positive thing in your life that is not grown by you on private property rooted in seed and materials that you have owned or nurtured for many decades is the result of the work of such Drivers.

Statistically, the safety records of CDL Drivers is far superior to that of ordinary Four Wheelers who are much more of a threat to you and all on our highways.

[dfwgator]

Thank you, truckers are the lifeblood of this country. Sure there are bad apples out there, but thank God there are people who want to do the job.

[wgmalabama]

Agreed. People way underestimate the space CDL need to operate safely. They pull out in front, slow roll them .... pathetic driving skills out there these days. Put the phone down and drive. Women txt, men holding their phones sideways on calls. Both driving completely selfishly and dangerously. Drive because your life does depend on it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

To be completely honest, I give every other vehicle on the interstates as wide a berth as possible. In the mid-60s, when I was learning how to drive, I read a Popular Science article written by a State Trooper on how to stay alive while driving. He pointed out the tendency of traffic to bunch up in what he called "wolf packs" and how dangerous they are. He is absolutely right about that and it's always caused by idiots in all three or four lanes driving at the same speed abreast of each other. I avoid those like the plague. It was the first article I read about defensive driving and I've taken that to heart all the years I've been driving (zero accidents and I'm turning 70 soon).

I'm sure you were a safe and courteous driver as are most CDL drivers, but there is definitely a subset of impatient tailgating hotheads.

I also don't care for semi truck loads not properly secured or wheels not properly tightened. Logging trucks are the worst (those are baby logs in the first photo below):

[Zuriel]

I retired last April with zero CSA points. Will probably help my former boss during harvest this fall.

But the inconsiderate drivers are a HUGE problem. Lurker, was there any chance that one or two cars changed lanes over into the trucker’s lane at the last moment, robbing him of critical stopping distance?

I can’t begin to estimate the times 4 wheelers have abruptly moved over and taken away my needed stopping distance. The idiots think big trucks are just as nimble and easy to stop.

And then there are the ‘setups’: people trying to get rearended for a nice payday. I’ve seen it happen. And a friend of mine showed me a pic that he took of a rear plastic bumper cover that he tapped on a two lane street in Birmingham about 17 yrs ago (back in them days truckers kept a camera in the glove box just in case). The lady hit the brakes to turn left (no signal), but had to wait for oncoming traffic. My friend didn’t think that he hit her car, but there was a slight imprint of one of his hexhead bumper bolts in the paint on the plastic bumper. His boss settled out of court for around 11k iirc.

Dash cams in trucks are helping to exonerate the trucker sometimes.

And yes, there are drivers that should never get a CDL.

[shanover]

I am getting my CDL soon. I am the truck driver that is wanted on the road. There are bad drivers no matter the license. There are road circumstances that are simply “accidents” “legally” even when the driver(s) caused a vehicular murder.

[7thson]

It is my opinion - based upon driving in different states roads, back roads, and interstates since 1974 and listening to truckers on CB - that you truck drivers are the second most incompentent - and ignorant bordering on stupidity - drivers on the road. Cab drivers are the first.

[caww]

Unfortunately the regulations etc. on truck drivers are very demanding today.