First Road Rage Encounter..

After all those problems with one particular driver headed the same way, my solution would have been to drop back, then take the next available exit. Pull over onto the shoulder for five to ten minutes, then resume your journey. That other driver will probably never be seen again.

After all those problems with one particular driver headed the same way, my solution would have been to drop back, then take the next available exit. Pull over onto the shoulder for five to ten minutes, then resume your journey. That other driver will probably never be seen again.

Yup, that was my thought exactly. Good time to take 10 minutes and grab a java, or an iced tea, if there's a Truck Stop there. Did that once with Tom, and we weren't even governed. Just too tired to play 'reindeer games.'

ps: Hope it wasn't Kearsey! (or Nae Nae!)

~ Anne ~

TwoSides, this one is easy for me. You probably won't like my advice, but it would have solved your whole issue. It never would have happened if you handled it properly.

I really appreciate you bringing these types of discussions up. It is a great way for people to learn and see the kinds of things that happen to truck drivers out on the road. In the last discussion you started about the driver cutting you off when passing I advised you to think differently than you do when driving a car. It is the same advice here. You mentioned that the lane was open for the Prime truck to move over into. You would not have even mentioned that if you didn't think you were cutting it a little too close to them. Anticipating that the other driver will do as you might is not a good definition of merging. When you merge you have seen a good opportunity to get into the flow of traffic without forcing anybody to do some other maneuver to accommodate you.

You should have slowed down and let the Prime truck get past your entry point and then began merging into the traffic. If they wanted to move over and let you in they would have already started doing it. Was it inconsiderate of them to stay put? Maybe so. Was it passive aggressive behavior for you to pull up beside their window and shrug your shoulders? Definitely so.

I think you bear a big part of the blame on this one. You have to be the professional out here. You can't expect anyone else to be watching out for you. Drive your truck so that it does not hinder others on the road. That is a tall order, and some days it seems impossible. Drive like a granny and you will find you are safe and not having near as many issues as you had with this driver.

Prime trucks are usually the least of my worries.

Same with me Steve L. The only company trucks I am able to pass and pass frequently are Prime trucks. My truck is governed at 65mph on cruise but I can pass Prime at 62. I thought it was a little funny that she cut me off. It's like she doesn't know how slow her truck is

As difficult as this is, hanging back for a few minutes while their blood simmers down, probably won't affect your on-time delivery. But it just may save your life.

Very true. I do not have a problem with hanging back. I actually thought the incident was over with when another truck got between us. Seemed like some time had passed before I got into the left lane to pass the truck in front of me when we were doing 40mph on 81s. To my surprise it was the Prime driver waiting for me smh.

When you merged did you have your hazards on?

No I didn't Rob. The reason being was because I thought I merged on safely. I'm a rookie and that could have been my fault but I honestly think/know I didn't do anything that would have caused an accident or caused any other driver to have to slam on their brakes. The driver most likely wasn't paying attention because a quarter mile down the road is when she slammed on her brakes when I was climbing a hill at 70k lb.

After all those problems with one particular driver headed the same way, my solution would have been to drop back, then take the next available exit. Pull over onto the shoulder for five to ten minutes, then resume your journey. That other driver will probably never be seen again.

Pack, I was thinking about doing that but not while she was behind me. A rest area came up but I didn't want her to follow me in there. Like I said above, I thought it was over and done with. When I got in the left lane to pass a truck in front of me I wasn't even thinking about that Prime driver anymore. Then had no choice but to pass her because I was stuck in the left lane at that point. It was either pass or hold up traffic to get back in the right lane.

Old School, I always listen and put to practice any advice you give me. It's not about me liking your advice, It's about understanding what you are saying. My Ego is not at play here. Just want you to know I appreciate and am thankful for all the advice you have given me.

Yes, in Davy A post a few weeks back I complained about drivers cutting me off and making my smart drive score go through the roof. I want you to know I took your advice on how to handle it and my smart drive score dropped from a 180 to 15 in 2 weeks!

You mentioned that the lane was open for the Prime truck to move over into. You would not have even mentioned that if you didn't think you were cutting it a little too close to them. Anticipating that the other driver will do as you might is not a good definition of merging. 

I mentioned that to say she didn't have to run up behind me and slam on the brakes like she did. I thought/know I merged safely giving her more than enough time to make a decision. Never do I cut it close with anyone on the road. This is a big rig, not a toy and not a car. I am a very courteous driver. Well maybe not so much with 4 wheelers and that is changing, but when it comes to other truckers I let them merge with no problems, I don't impede on them and even started to slow down and let them pass like members here have suggested when they are creeping along side me.

I think you bear a big part of the blame on this one. You have to be the professional out here. You can't expect anyone else to be watching out for you. Drive your truck so that it does not hinder others on the road. That is a tall order, and some days it seems impossible. Drive like a granny and you will find you are safe and not having near as many issues as you had with this driver.

A big part of the blame?? Your right, I didn't like what you said there lol. But respect it. I do consider myself to be a professional and carry myself that way out here, the same as when I was running my small business. My Dad was in the Navy for 13yrs and a UPS division manager for 25yrs. I say that to give some insight on my up bringing. I pride myself on being a very safe, aware and excellent driver. Been using the UPS 5's and 10's since he taught me how to drive at 16.

My problem is that I do expect others to have the same common sense as I do out on the road. It disappoints me when I see other truckers giving their brothers and sisters a hard time out here. I now understand what the Vets mean when they say the respect and courtesy is fading. Drive like a granny huh?? Wow lol. Not sure I can do that just yet but I can always practice on improving my driving skills and habits.

Thank you Sir for your imput as always and keep them coming. I do benefit from your advice and am always appreciative that you respond

I cringed reading that honestly. No shade, I understand you’re a new driver and learning and I might have done the same thing when I was new. I respect you for your honesty in sharing the whole situation and asking for advice..I don’t think I’d have the cajones to be that honest on a public forum.

Like Old School said, I wasn’t there but it sounds like you could have waited before merging but idk the situation and maybe you were fine. But 1000% I would’ve hung back and not tried to pass the Prime truck. She obviously had road rage and there’s no way I would’ve put myself back in close quarters with her again. Just hang way back (throw on your flashers if you need to if she’s going too slow) and take the next exit. Take 2 minutes off duty so you’re not burning your clock and get back on. You’ll never see her again.

A lot of great advice here...all very consistent.

My concern is not sure you are really digesting it and adjusting your approach to this. As if you are reading to reply, but not to completely understand. No offense intended...just an observation.

Driving like a granny doesn’t mean what you think it does. Drive defensively assuming the other driver(s) will NOT do the smart thing. Anticipate what others might do based on the current situation (situational awareness). Always look for a path of avoidance in anticipation of a problem. Don’t get complacent or counter someone else’s questionable decision.

You’ll notice a recurring theme in most of the responses here... back-off. Get away from the problem. Remove yourself from the bunching, the jockeying, etc. The Granny will never allow it to happen in the first place. You will learn this... trust me, you will.

For me? Driving like a Granny means to maintain lots of space at all times. Lots of it... never becoming a part of someone else’s story.

Peace.

As I am moving toward getting back behind the wheel, this thread has been very helpful! I appreciate the honesty of TwoSides11's post and all the comments that followed. What a tremendous opportunity to learn!

Thanks to all!

Hey G-town. No offense taken, you made an observation and are concerned that I might not be digesting the information given here. I appreciate that. I want to assure you that I am.

What I understand from all the comments was to fall back. Take myself out of the situation before it starts. I posted this to see what I could have done better in that scenario. I wasn't going to but glad I did.

I take into account everything you guys say and I see how it benefits me when I put it to use. I took your advice about slowing down when someone is trying to pass me at a snails pace. Works just fine. You see how my smart drive score has dropped tremendously, that's a thanks to you guys.

I did misunderstand what drive like a granny meant.

For me? Driving like a Granny means to maintain lots of space at all times. Lots of it... never becoming a part of someone else’s story.

Never become part of someone else's story, that is well put. That will stick with me.

Thanks G-town, stay safe out there!

TwoSides11 has made a very honest and humble posting of his experience in a bad situation. He reached out to the TT members for advice and got the best answers to avoid this from happening again. I feel that he has and will learn from this and utilize the advice given here from the best the trucking industry has to offer. Stay focused TwoSides11 and use the advice given here and you will have become a much better driver. Good luck.