Why Are So Many Truck Drivers Eager For A Fight

In all my endeavors, I have never seen so many people ready to fight over the dumbest things. As a veteran, someone who was trained to fight and put their life on the line doing it, I am not eager for a fight. I prefer non-violent, non-lethal conflict resolution. It's so much easier, and it doesn't hurt anyone.

Yet, every day, I hear drivers cursing at each other and talking about pulling over to meet up at a truck stop to settle the dispute over whatever stupid thing they were offended by.

This happened to me the other day. I was driving in a 45 mph zone on Route 30 wb in Ohio. Ahead, I saw a vehicle on the right shoulder with a repair truck in front of it. The red triangles were about 1 foot into the right lane. I checked my mirrors and saw a truck in the left lane about 550 meters back. I judged his speed; I had the room to move over and back before he was on me. I did just that. Well, 10 seconds later, he pulled up alongside me and laid on his air horn to get my attention. He came across on 19 with a monolog of profanity and advice for me. Typically, I don't engage in such nonsense. But, that day, I did.

I asked him what I did. He told me I cut him off. I said to him my maneuver was safe and did not impede traffic much less did I cut him off. He then said something to the effect that I looked like the type of person who would do something like that. I said, well, sir, if my actions delayed you or in any way impeded you, I apologize. He responded he would take an apology from the bottom of his boot if I would only meet him at the next truck stop. I then said, look, I don't usually engage in these conversations, but the sun is shining, and the weather is beautiful; why should we be mad about anything on a day like this? Think of something nice, like a loved one. Call them and tell them you love them. Hug someone as soon as possible because whatever anger is inside you was not caused by me. But if it was, I apologize and will try to do better in the same situation next time. He said, I got your company and truck number, "next truck stop, driver, so I can beat your A**" Soon, he was speeding away in the 45 mph zone and out of range. Two other drivers behind me and being passed by him came across the radio and said they saw nothing wrong with my maneuver.

Well, Ironically, I decided to pull over for a break but made sure I went to the stop after the next truck stop. Wouldn't you know it, this driver was backing into a spot at the truck stop. I went out on the radio and said, hey, is that you my friend from the road about an hour ago? Are we going to be alright here? He came back with a completely different tone. He laughed and said "yeah, it's me." Everything is fine. Just getting some coffee. How about you? I said, same here friend - can I pay for your coffee? He said, nah, I got them both, friend.

Of course, I didn't let him buy my coffee. But he was as pleasant as can be. We both went our separate ways with a "stay safe out there" salutation.

Like I always try to say, today was a good day, tomorrow will be better.

That other driver should have been aware of the situation on the shoulder up ahead and anticipated that you would be switching lanes. If his line of sight was impeded and he couldn't see what was going on up ahead on the shoulder, he still should have realized why you moved over once he was able to see what was going on.

I often encounter cars that fail to see emergency lights on the shoulder. I'll move over with plenty of space between me and the oblivious car in the left lane. Then the car will move over into the right lane to pass. Sometimes they hit the brakes and move back into the left lane once they see the situation clearly. Other times they continue in the right lane and make a pass while totally disregarding the cop or tow truck with the flashing lights on the shoulder. I wish for some instant karma in those situations, but the car always gets away with it.

I've always tried to get the CB Rambos to stop at the next ramp or truck stop, but I have yet to have one do it. I have had physical contact altercations with two others that needed to be corrected and both were sorry afterwards for their actions. I avoid it, but sometimes others need to learn to act with better manners towards me.

People are just not as hardy as they used to be. The masses now more than ever are weak minded, thin skinned, and prone to spontaneous blow ups. There is a MAJOR mental health crisis in the world right now.

Nobody ever truly wins a fight, to think differently is to have a very adolescent attitude. Unless we are protecting ourselves or another defenseless living thing from an unprovoked malicious attack, then we are no better than animals. The delineating factor between a human and an animal is the ability to reason and be civil.

You handled this like a pro and a true man. Thank you again for serving our country Bill!!

I've invited radio Rambo to pull over hundreds of times, no one has ever once took me up on the invitation.

There are hot headed, discourteous, disrespectful, aggressive drivers out there and it’s impossible to avoid a bad experience with them. I’ve encountered a few but have been happy just to escape from their gravitational pull. They can be like black holes.

Bill, I gotta ask out of curiosity. Did you see this guy outside of his truck when you both stopped? Was he bigger than you? Could he have kicked your butt, or would it have been the other way around? The thing is, in confrontational situations you never know if the other guy has a weapon. So your discretion in this situation was the better part of valor. Kudos to you.

I just ignore the idiots!!! It is easy to talk trash over the radio, a whole different thing in person. Kinda like social media, lol. Some folks do it for their own entertainment I reckon.

You did well I would say!!

It is best to avoid the confrontation at all costs. Do not let testosterone get in the way of common sense.

Unless you are defending your family or yourself from harm it is best to just "turn the other cheek".

Too many "Billy bad ass" people out there have guns and are not worried about shooting anyone. Better safe than sorry.

Too many "Billy bad ass" people out there have guns and are not worried about shooting anyone. Better safe than sorry.

That's the thing. You just don't know when you're dealing with someone who is potentially unstable. It's one thing to put up your dukes, it's quite another to pull a gun or knife on someone. On the streets, you just don't know the mind of the person you're dealing with.

Without any intention of preaching, Proverbs 14:30 says that a calm heart gives life to the body. This principle is true in any endeavor of life I can think of. Hothead drivers are pumping harmful, perhaps fatal, hormones and other chemicals into their bloodstream and will probably die a premature death.

Without even taking into consideration guns and knives, I’ve witnessed two fist fights between grown men during my lifetime. Both fights put one of the participants in the hospital with serious injuries.

It’s not like in the movies where two guys trade 50 punches and don’t even get a mark.