Steven Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 It's too easy to get a driver's license in America. I have seen so many idiots on the roads over the last few months. Last night, 3 A.M. just south of Louisville, Ky. (typical 3 a.m. traffic) I'm travelling south on I-65 on my way home. A car in the far left lane shoots across 3 lanes, jumps in front of me and slams on his brakes to catch an exit about 1/8th a mile ahead. Now, it's raining cats and dogs, as it's been all day. I'm moving 65 m.p.h. and weighed about 55,000 pounds. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that I can't just slam on the brakes. Too many potentially deadly situations could result. I could jack-knife, I could run over this idiot, or I could simply flip my rig. And for the last reason, I can't just jump into another lane. And, I'm not exaggerating when I say this guy was 5 car lengths in front of me. Another time not too long ago. This time in Manchester, Tennessee. No other traffic in sight except for one guy coming up behind me. Again, I'm in the right lane, but I'm maxed out @ 79,000 pounds (80,000 is max on a 53' trailer). Well, Einstein rides my tail for about 10 miles, he must've not realised where he was, because he finally decided to pass about 1/2 maile from an exit. About halfway past me, he wanted to take the exit we were approaching. He backed off and took the exit. Right? No. He gunned it and shot in front of me, slammed on his breaks and hit the exit. I have too many stories of people in major cities. The simple fact is, too many people go and throw down their $10 or whatever, take that joke of a test and walk out with a license to drive a deadly weapon. They have the license, but in many cases, not the skill. Of all accidents involving commercial drivers, over 80% are caused by non-commercial drivers (according to truckinfo.net accidient statistics). And who do you think gets sued? Not the guy in the Buick. We need to adopt stricter regulations before just any yahoo can climb behind the wheel. I think some kind of tractor-trailer awareness program should be involved; the license should be much more expensive; a formal training course should be required; and the penalties for traffic violations should be much, much stiffer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy Couldn't agree with you more Racksie. I'm not a commercial driver, but I do have my class2 w/air. Your absolutely right, there are too many idiots on the road...but you know what....no matter how hard the test is, no matter what they need to learn to get a passing mark, those same people will still be idiots. They should be made to take that defensive driving course that I had to take to get my class2. It's an eye opener, for those with eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy I think Racksie is experiencing post road rage syndrom. Calm your self my man it will pass. Seriously I do not know how you fellas do it. I could not. I see enough crap just going back and forth to work. I can only imagine what you folks have to deal with. Keep sharp man. And be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy I agree with you wholeheartedly. That sounds like a normal day around here with the stories that you described. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy It boils down to "zero" experience behind the wheel! The written test is a joke! I believe that a person must have "X" number of hours driving with a quilified instructer before they can even take the written test. A few years ago, when I had my construction company, I was delivering my backhoe to a job site. Right through a town. Cab over truck, steel box and backhoe on the trailer. This woman ran a red light right in front of me in a VW! I got stopped about 2 feet from the side of her car. My bumper was even with her head! I gave her a talking to like she had never had before or probably since! NO BRAINS!!!! Why can't the blasted politicans climb on this instead of guns. What is the ratio of people killed in cars verses guns? I feel for you Racksie and don't envy you one bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy I blame it on the dumbing of America. It shows everywhere, the average IQ is dropping and common sense is a thing that is seldom used. At any rate, those of you that drive for a living have my respect and hopes that you can safely complete each day. Just keep a sharp eye open for the "idiots" and drive defensively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy Could not agree more. Way too many idiots out there driving who should not be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Re: It\'s too easy [ QUOTE ] I could run over this idiot [/ QUOTE ] This would remove them from the gene pool!!! LOL!!! I agree Racksie, I encounter these idiots as well, although you certainly put on more miles than all of us! But you cant just say its the car drivers! I have been almost involved with head-on crashes with your brothers driving their big rigs too! Some of the highways (like I78 going to Cabela's) here these big rigs seamed not to care weather they just ran you off the road. Or made you slam on your brakes to avoid killing your family because there bigger than you and they want out onto the highway! Just talking from experience! But the worst drivers are still in the cars!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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