| I would like to share with you some of the daily safety | | | | 5 to 10 miles there will be a weigh station. As a |
| problems that the professional truck driver faces. In my | | | | professional, the driver puts on his RIGHT-TURN |
| opinion, cars maneuvered by poor drivers (J. Q. Public) | | | | SIGNAL to make his way over to the right lane to exit |
| must have a magnet installed in their front bumper that | | | | off. Remember the magnet theory. |
| attracts them to trucks. This magnet pulls them within | | | | The cars instantaneously get closer to each other. The |
| thirty feet of the rear of semi-trailers. | | | | weigh station that was 5 to 10 miles ahead is now 3 |
| The semi driver CAN NOT see anything behind the | | | | miles closer. A good driver would slow down and let |
| trailer within that distance. This magnet theory is the | | | | the truck merge into the right lane. |
| only reasonable explanation for auto drivers following | | | | 1. Do not tailgate. Remember the 2 to 4 second rule, |
| too closely behind semi trailers. | | | | 100' to 250'. |
| Cars not equipped with this magnet are operated by | | | | 2. Wait your turn at an intersection. When you see a |
| good drivers who keep the 2 to 4 second rule for | | | | truck turning or backing up, give him a break, |
| following distance (about 100' to 250') behind a truck. | | | | remember the 30' rule. |
| J. Q. Public, with his magnet engaged, pulls out in the | | | | 3. Pass a truck and allow plenty of room to merge |
| passing lane, gets even with the truck, and sets up | | | | back. Remember both truck headlights in should |
| residency. | | | | appear in your rearview mirror. |
| If J. Q. Public were a good driver, he would move from | | | | 4. Remember trucks use signals so a blinking signal |
| behind the truck, pass quickly and safely, and allow | | | | means we are going to turn. We are not thinking about |
| adequate space after the maneuver. He would watch | | | | turning. We are definitely going to turn in the direction |
| his inside rearview mirror and make sure both of the | | | | of the blinking light. So don't cut us off, especially right |
| truck's headlights were visible in the mirror as he | | | | turns. |
| merged back to the right. | | | | 5. Plan ahead when you see slow moving vehicles. |
| Another example of the magnet theory occurs when | | | | Trucks, U-Hauls, campers, and some truck lines still |
| making a right hand turn. While Mr. Truck Driver pays | | | | have their speed at 55 to 57 mph. |
| close attention to the right mirror on the cab of the | | | | 6. PLEASE let us over, the sign says "Weigh Station 1 |
| truck and watches the left corner of the truck, the | | | | Mile". |
| magnet activates and J. Q. Public sneaks along side to | | | | 7. Leave yourself an out. Don't be so close to the |
| get around the corner before the truck does. The car | | | | vehicle ahead of you that if something happens you |
| is hit by the tandem on the trailer. | | | | have a wreck. Never ever get yourself boxed in: |
| The truck needs all this space (approximately 120') to | | | | always leave room to escape. |
| complete the turn safely. Having arrived at his | | | | If people could ride with a truck driver for a week, they |
| destination, typically Mr. Truck Driver will need to back | | | | would soon understand. My door is open to anyone |
| into a loading dock. It would appear that sometimes he | | | | who thinks my job is easy. I am inviting them to ride |
| is expected to bend into places even a helicopter | | | | along, watch, learn, get a better understanding because |
| could not land. | | | | without trucks, America would stop! |
| Back on the interstate, Mr. Truck Driver knows that in | | | | |