Question:
when driving on the interstate aproaching the entrence do you move over or slow down for four wheelers and big trucks who entererd with out looking. or take the attitude F it they all have brakes and sterring wheels it is up to them. if going 65 how much could you safely slow it down in such a situation with ideal conditions.

Answer:
Not to blast you, but your education and experience are both sorely lacking. By default, you represent a part of the problem.
When driving down the interstate, there are usually exit ramps, then entrance ramps.
The exit ramps are used to get off of the highway.
The entrance ramps are for traffic entering the highway.
A sensible driver will always drive defensively, because there is no telling what the other guy might do. Cars and trucks, alike.
The traffic entering the highway, on an entrance ramp, has the responsibility to adjust their speed, to merge smoothly with existing traffic, that is already on the highway, and moving much faster than the traffic entering the highway,.
It is this speed differential, that places the responsibility on the merging traffic.
None the less, when you are already on the highway, at highway speeds, you gotta pay attention, know what is around you, and be ready to make a defensive move, without hurting anything or anybody.
The way you slow down, is gradually. That is what the long buffer space is all about. That long buffer space is your following distance. Again, idiots in cars and trucks alike, often steal that space, and should be jailed for doing so.Government Ain't YO' Friend. Nor your Servant.
A Tax Reduces Incentive & Capacity. A Regulation is also a TAX.


Answer:
I let people in front of me most of the time by slowing down a little.
I'm never in "that' big a hurry...I plan my trips better than most drivers out there today.
I watch ramps carefully often "before" I get to them.
I do not do 'crash" like some of these new breed wonder boys out here behind the wheel of a truck.
I don't know where they find these people they put behind the wheel of a truck today...
I'm glad I never went to truck driving school...
I don't know what they teach these people in trucking school, but, it sure as hell isn't driving skills.

Answer:
If you are on a 3 or more lane highway, stay out of the far right lane. In my opinion, that lane is for getting off and on the highway. I try to stay with the flow of traffic(up to a certain speed), but I have learned that being in the right lane and dodging mostly cars and some trucks is a safety hazard. I know the BBR's are yelling at me to get out of the middle lane, but I am not risking a accident to please them. My job is to be as safe as possible, and if that means running the middle lane, so be it. Flame away

Answer:
If the person getting on the freeway is courteous enough to use their turn signal, I will be courteous enough to let them in. If someone is being an (edited), and gunning it to get in, I will let them in. If someone doesn't use their turn signal, I will let them in.
My truck is worth too much to take any other attitude.

Answer:
I move over if I can. If its a 3 lane, Im usually in the center lane around git ons anyway. If Im stuck in the right lane and cant get over out of the way, I maintain my speed and let the merging vehicle adjust to me. I hate when Im trying to get on the interstate and cars/trucks start slowing or speeding up for me. It does nothing but make it impossible for me to judge their speed so I can merge.
Ive noticed the only time merging is a problem is when you get a bunch of idiots in the right lane that arent maintaining safe following distances, which leaves no room between vehicles to merge into.

Answer:
55sams wrote i have no education and expierence. and by default iam part of the problem . i did not know there was a problem. and i apoligize for being apart of it . as far as expierence goes if i had any i would not be on the newbie board trying to get advice from the pros. iam aware that some people were born with the expierence to drive a truck straight out the womb . but unfortunetly that has not been the case with myself. so i have to come on here and ask stupid questions

Answer:

That makes two of us with that attitude. Now all we need to do is educate the other jillion people. Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say. -- Tolkien

Answer:
I have a CB in my car and it always amazes how truck drivers drive when there are no other big trucks around. At least when other drivers are around "MOST" drivers behave themselves...using signals, not riding bumpers, using the "correct" lane, generally just more courtesy around other big trucks. They are always shocked when I call them out on their driving habits.
I cannot count how many trucks I have had to pass on the right because they were sleeping out in the left lane...that drives me crazy. I never hang out in the left lane. Some don't even seem to care when other trucks are around, they just drive bad all the time I suppose. During rush hour trucks have no business out in the left lane anyway...but that doesn't stop some from being "safe" while traffic backs up for a mile behind them forcing cars to pass on the right.
I don't mind drivers in the middle lane, but get over when you can...even if it is just to let someone by, then get back in your"comfort" lane. If it is an off hour what is wrong with the right lane?
When did changing lanes, braking and accelarating become such a difficult thing for a driver to do? That is what the job is...driving.
If YOU are getting passed on the right YOU are in the wrong lane!

Answer:
Not blasting you, specifically. More the system that allows people to become licensed, without a basic understanding of the rules of the road.
I'm sorry, for sounding like it was an attack on you. Not meant that way, at all.
It is a sore spot, because a truck does not have the flexibility and speed, of a 4-wheeler.
People without an understanding of the basic rules of the road, are the ones that cause the majority of the problems, and crashes. And, most of the time, it is a 4-wheeler.
I'm glad you are here. That does show some initiative and interest.
And, NO Body is born with the skill to manipulate a truck, safely. It takes practice.
For what it is worth, I often have a problem with backing.
So, your questions are not stupid. Not in the least.Government Ain't YO' Friend. Nor your Servant.
A Tax Reduces Incentive & Capacity. A Regulation is also a TAX.


Answer:

You are not part of the peoblem ! You are a great part of the cure ! Buy asking questions and simply caring enough to ask the question.
Nobody is born a truck driver. It is easier to learn for some and harder for others. And if anybody here can say they know it all. I gurantee you those are the people that will get hurt or will hurt someone first.
I still ask questions after 30 yrs of driving.
My answer to your question would be easy : Move over if you can. or slow down if you have to.
Common courtesy never hurt anybody and will make for a more relaxed driving experience.
Answer:
Im not questioning your experience but only trying to broaden mine. My truck driving experience is very limited, Ive been driving for about two years but Ive only been putting real miles on for the last four months or so. Ive been driving for over 27 years though.
My question is do you think its better to slow down and force someone merge in front of you than to hold your speed and let them merge at their convenience?
Maybe im the exception but when Im trying to get on the interstate I like the traffic to hold its speed so I can judge how and where I need to merge as Im coming up the ramp. Not much bugs me more than to come up the ramp and slow down a little so I can fall in line behind a car or truck in the right lane, only to have them slow down at the last minute to let me on, now we have both slowed down trying to let each other by. I see it as the persons responibility on the ramp to merge with traffic, and I'll move out of the way if I can, I'll even leave extra room in front of me so they can easily slide in but if they dont take that opportunity I maintain my speed so it doesnt close up the space that SHOULD be behind me.

Answer:
The common sense way and the correct way is to hold your speed.That becomes a problem with most people attempting to merge. Most do the opposite of you and gun it trying to get ahead. Especially
4-wheelers when they see a truck coming. Very seldom do they slow and try to merge correctly. Usually it's a mad dash to beat the CMV.
There's one rule that is above all others. What ever you do, do it safely. Safety has to be the first thought. Moving over at the last minute letting another vehicle on is dangerous. Hitting the brakes when you have a line behind you and some one riding your tail is dangerous. Any action taken without proper planning is dangerous.
That's where keeping a proper following distance, looking a minimum of 15 seconds ahead of you and protecting your space front , back and on the sides will guide you in making the right move. If you know whats going on all around you and 15 seconds or more in front you'll know if you can move over, slow down or hold your speed.
Each traffic encounter is different. Some are simple and easy to decide while others require more consideration. Thats why the original question cannot be answered with the two options given. It's never a matter of doing one thing or the other. It's always a matter of doing what's safest in all conditions.
If your not paying attention you will not know what the safest move is.

Answer:
eveytiing I sed above is asuming it was done in a safe manner .... Saftey is always first ! In any situation.
And I to believe that maintaining current speed is the correct way to let merging traffic onto roadway. But that is most often not an option
And I believe the question was.
What do you do when keeping a constant speed isnt an option.
Answer:

You seem to believe some "common sense" is the answer.
In my experience that assumption is correct.