Truck driving isn’t an easy profession. Drivers can log as much as 10,000 miles per month. Most of them are paid by miles driven rather than an hourly wage. Their work day is spent on the road, often dealing with traffic that makes it difficult to cover enough miles to earn a living. Some consummate professional truckers have found smart ways of coping with this without violating traffic laws or endangering the driving public. Others have not, and become aggressive truck drivers.
Aggressive truck drivers sometimes act out of anger or rage. However, often their acts are calmly executed tactical maneuvers. Regardless, both types of aggressive drivers endanger the motorists around them. Here are three of these “tactical” maneuvers:
Tailgating a Car in an Attempt to Maintain Momentum
Truck drivers use the momentum gained while going downhill to climb the next uphill portion of an interstate highway. If slow cars are blocking their way, the truck driver may tailgate and perhaps flash their headlights to signal the motorist to get out of the way. If the truck driver slows down, it would take a lot of time and fuel to get back up to speed.
While this act is rational, he or she shouldn’t employ tailgating because the truck doesn’t have enough stopping power to avoid colliding with the car should the traffic suddenly slow down. Saving time and fuel isn’t worth the possible injury or death of a motorist.
Cutting off a Car in an Attempt to Maintain Momentum
This is similar to the previous tactic except that the truck driver is in the right lane behind a slow vehicle and quickly moves into the passing lane in order to maintain his or her momentum. While doing this, the driver knowingly cuts off a car. This endangers the lives of the car’s occupants.
Running a Red Light
Yellow lights are timed with cars in mind. For heavily loaded semi trucks riding at the local speed limit, a green light that suddenly turns yellow doesn’t always allow enough time for stopping. Attempting to stop would place them in the middle of the intersection when the light turns red. Instead, they continue driving through the intersection no matter what. This means they run a red light in the process.
Running red lights is always dangerous business and risks a side collision by a car. Side collisions with a semi trailer are often deadly. Truck drivers should drive at slow speeds that allow them to stop when a light turns yellow. This may require reducing their speed below the speed limit.
When a semi truck tailgates you, move to the right and allow them to pass. In general, you should give them plenty of space, and never react aggressively to their dangerous driving. If in spite of your safe driving, a truck injures you in an accident, it’s important that you get in touch with an experienced trucking accidents lawyer who can help you get compensation for your losses and recovery. Contact us at The Clardy Law Firm in dealing with aggressive drivers cases.
