Let's See Of This Forum Is As Friendly As It Says!!

I will confess, I am not a trucker but I recently had an incident with one. On Sunday January 7 I was travelling West on Route 80 thru Central/Western PA and was around Dubois. There is construction there on an overpass which forced the traffic down to one lane up ahead. There were several road signs that said to "Use both lanes until merge point". Unless I am wrong this means fully use both lanes until merge point. I have seen these before and they work quite well if everyone follows the rules. I was in the left lane at the time so I just stayed there. About a 1/4 mile before the merge point the tractor trailer in front of me changed to the right lane. I thought nothing of it so I kept on going straight past him in the left lane. As I did this he quickly change lanes into my lane and ran me off the road into the median. He then would not let me back on the highway because he kept blocking me. I didn't do it at the time but I later called the state police and asked them what should I have done. They said next time call 911. So, I will be travelling thru that area again soon and will be purchasing a dash cam before then. I know there are a lot of bad drivers both car and truck out there and there are many crazies these days. But I notice that many truckers don't know how to use or don't want to use the zipper method to merge in construction areas. Some purposely block the lanes so that no one can move forward in front of them. Whether you agree with this method or not you don't need to be blocking lanes and running people off the road because they might pass you. I welcome comments but if there is any name calling I will not answer.....

We are friendly, but many of us are to the point and people can't handle that sometimes.

Yes, the zipper does work if everybody does it like it's supposed to. However, there are drivers out there that don't want to use that method, claiming it doesn't work and so they block the lane. When I came back on the road in 2014, that is what I did because that's what we did back in the 80s/90s when I drove. The zipper really didn't come about until about 5 or 6 years ago and like I said it does work.

As for that driver running you off the road and not letting you back on, that was wrong and either get the company name, truck number or trailer number (don't need license plate number) and call the company or call 911. Having a dash cam is a smart move. The one I had on the truck is now in my pickup because many companies have installed at least three cameras...one facing forward and two facing backward.

Be safe out there.

Oh, so you were the one I ran off the road! Sorry.

Haha, but seriously the incident as you describe was unfortunate because that truck driver was reckless and rude. I was in a similar situation a few days ago. I was in the right lane, creeping along, and the truck driver in front of me decided to control traffic and moved over to his left until he was straddling both lanes and blocking anyone from moving ahead of him. Not the correct move on his part, but drivers do this on a regular basis and it gives us a bad name, so I don’t like to see it.

So on behalf of those drivers who are more courteous, a thousand pardons to you.

Thank you for responding. At first I was a bit confused at what was going on since I thought that I was following the rules. I plan to do something about it though. For one I will be contacting PennDot to see if they can add a comment to their digital sign that says something like "Blocking traffic from moving forward is illegal". Seems simple enough. And, I will be buying a dashcam and will record and report all blockers. I like fairness and taking your turn but I don't like people taking the law into their own hands especially when they are wrong...

You are assuming it wasnt a new driver. Many times new drivers get nervous in those areas and are still learning to use their mirrors properly. They may not have seen you...

Making that scenario worst ... it is possible there was a car on his right that was pushing him into the left. You may not have seen it. Not saying he was correct... saying it is possible he didnt see you. He could have been so focused on that side that he forgot about you.

You are assuming it wasnt a new driver. Many times new drivers get nervous in those areas and are still learning to use their mirrors properly. They may not have seen you...

Making that scenario worst ... it is possible there was a car on his right that was pushing him into the left. You may not have seen it. Not saying he was correct... saying it is possible he didnt see you. He could have been so focused on that side that he forgot about you.

Kearsey, with all due respect, c’mon! I’ve seen what the OP describes too often to believe the truck driver did that accidentally. You know it happens a lot, because many truck drivers have a misguided idea of bullying car drivers.

Otherwise, how is it going for you?

Some truck drivers like some car drivers just shouldn’t be on the road. They drive like described and don’t care.

I’ve had other trucks do similiar things to me countless times.

I make sure I pay strict attention too other present traffic at all times.

After running me off into the median the trucker would not let me back on the road. He would close the gap in front of him to not let me in. His engine was revving pretty high to do it. I could hear it being right beside him. I had to pass him and another truck in the median to get back on the road. To be fair I have seen passenger cars, mostly large pick up trucks, try the same thing. I had my wife in the car with me who is recovering from a very serious neck and back operation. I did my best to get away so that there was no incident that could jeopardize her recovery. Anyway, I am not one to complain and do nothing. I have contacted PennDot to see if anything can be done with signage to let everyone know that purposely blocking lanes is illegal. We'll see if they respond. I also just purchased a dashcam. No one will do this to me again without consequences. Just sayin......

Okay, as usual, when we get into a discussion similar to this the OP starts adding more information that casts doubt on their credulity. Take this little tidbit of information...

I had my wife in the car with me who is recovering from a very serious neck and back operation. I did my best to get away so that there was no incident that could jeopardize her recovery.

Then look at how he describes his driving actions...

I had to pass him and another truck in the median to get back on the road.

That's craziness!

Sir, you did not have to drive like an idiot. That maneuver was uncalled for and very dangerous. You merely had to reduce your speed when you first realized the truck driver was moving over into your lane. That would prove you a good safe driver, and the truck driver a numbskull.

Just slow down and get behind the truck. That's a simple solution which woul be much more likely to reduce the chances of aggravating your wife's recovery.

I haven't wanted to comment on this thing from the start, but your additional comments confirm my suspicions. There was more than one driver involved in this incident who acted badly. The pot is wanting to call the kettle black, but it's not working too well.

I was wondering how long it would take to start blaming the victim. I knew that this would happen. I really don't have to explain my actions to you. I wanted to get away from this guy. I didn't want to be in back of him again because I would probably had to pass him at some point. I didn't want to do that. I just wanted to get away. If you have any doubts about my wife's condition I have the proof. Now I wish I had gotten in back of him to get the license plate number. I regret that. I did slowly and safely as I could pass him. Remember, I would not have been in the median in the first place if it was not for this trucker's unsafe actions. This in my mind was the best thing to do get far away from him. Was it wrong? Maybe. But I was still pretty surprised that this happened at all! I can see that I will have to end my comments since the comments are starting to turn in the wrong direction. From now on I know what I am supposed to do. Thanks to those with helpful and positive comments....