Question:
What you are about to read is true. Nothing has been changed or 'sugar coated'.
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Last Saturday evening I bobtailed the 120 miles to our yard up in the Twin Cities.
After getting my paperwork, hooking up and pre-tripping my trailer, I headed south.
On my way through Rochester MN on Hwy 52 (through a 12 mile construction zone,w/ narrowed lanes), I was clipping along in the right lane about 45 mph in the posted 50 mph work zone.
I was almost to the Hwy 52 & Hwy 14 interchange when I seen a little blue Ford Tempo (with 4 teenagers in it), moving up real fast in my left mirror.
As he barely got past my bumper, he cut me off. I let up on the 'Go' pedal, the Jakes kicked in and started backing out of it more. Then he hit the brakes! He came to a complete stop at about a 45 degree angle to my lane of travel! He missed his turn off and the grill of his car was right up against an orange barrel.
DEAD STOP!!!!!!!!! LESS THAN 100' in front of me!
OH SH*T!!!!!!!!! I didn't have time to stop! I did a very quick glance in my mirror. Thankfully, there was nothing between my trailer and the concrete divider wall, so I quick moved over to the left WITHOUT jerking the wheel. I was only able to get over about 1/2 of a lane before I was going by him.
As I went by him, I looked in my right mirror. There wasn't ONE FOOT between his trunk lid and my trailer tires! I have NEVER come that close to hitting anybody with my truck. It shook me up pretty good for about 20 miles, until I had a chance to calm down a bit.
I'm damn glad I didn't hit the car.
I hope they sh*t their pants though!
Stupid SOB!
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Why did I post this? Because I've seen too many flipped big trucks in the last 6 months.
If you have to make evasive manuevers, DO NOT JERK THE WHEEL!
Physics takes over where your common sense leaves off!
If you over-steer a car, it'll slide and then roll.
If you over-steer a big truck, IT WILL ROLL OVER and then slide!
Be careful out there.
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." (From "Rollin' Home", Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Good job, Hoss. Your story could very easily have had a very different ending.

Answer:

Good thing they had someone behind them that knew just what he was doing. And a angel on the shoulders of both you and the kids!!
Can only say..damn good job Hoss!!

Answer:
Yes, hoss that could have had a very different ending. I also like the point that you made to not jerk the wheel, I had to find that one out the hard way thankfully the truck didn't roll. I had to clean my pants out after that.
BDGFN, what is this about teenagers should drive cars
"Another good example of why teenagers should be driving cars"
i just happen to be 18 with my CDL and im dam good at what i do with a truck so not all teenagers are careless

Answer:
Originally posted by BDGFN:
Good job, Hoss. Your story could very easily have had a very different ending.
Stupidity knows no age limits. I had somethin very simliar happen to me a few years ago on the loop going around DC. Some stupid lady who looked to be in her mid 30's at least missed her ramp and came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road right in front of me, and it was rainng to boot. Unlike Hoss I didnt have anywhere to go however as I had traffic beside me in the other lane and the way she came to a stop, 1/2 on the road and 1/2 on the shoulder, eleiminated that escape route. Only choice: Hit the brakes and pray like hell. All this on a rain slick road.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
i know this is the wrong thing to say but i kinda wish you would have hit em. how freakin stupid can you be. they didn't give a sh*t about respecting you and they pulled right in front of you and expected you to "control your d*mn truck" they were probably more than likely drunk and didn't want to be behind a truck so who gives a rip i'm getting in front of him.
i think they should have been hit and badly wounded and in the hospital for a few days. next time they'll think twice about being careful on the road.

Answer:
Please believe me I am not picking on you...
Even though the kids where wrong and if he had hit them it would have been his A$$ for the simple fact it is almost always the truckers fault reguardless of the facts.
He would have been charged with failure to control his truck just to name one charge off the top of my head..He would also loose his job and then find it very hard to get a jon somewhere else.
The parents of the brats would then sue him and the trucking company for the simple fact they see big trucks and big bucks.
With all that said:
You Done Good Hoss and yes your guardian Angel was on you shoulder big time..
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
Originally posted by LoriAz:
i know this is the wrong thing to say but i kinda wish you would have hit em. how freakin stupid can you be. they didn't give a sh*t about respecting you and they pulled right in front of you and expected you to "control your d*mn truck" they were probably more than likely drunk and didn't want to be behind a truck so who gives a rip i'm getting in front of him.
i think they should have been hit and badly wounded and in the hospital for a few days. next time they'll think twice about being careful on the road.
Lori, I see your point, but let me explain a couple things for you.

• I am NOT in the habit of killing people and NEVER want that to happen to me.
  
• If I would've hit the back of the car, most likely I would've been charged with 'failure to control my vehicle' (at the very least! )
  
• I have a family at home that I care very much for, and they me. What if I would've been killed?
  
• I happen to love driving for a living, any accident could end that one simple pleasure that I do enjoy so much.
  
• I don't know if I could've lived with myself if any of those kids were killed, especially if they were trapped in a burning car and could'nt be saved. I'd probably hear the screams for the rest of my life.
  
• I've had a spotless driving record for the last 5 years, I'd love to keep it that way.

Yeah, maybe it woulda 'taught them a lesson', but I'm NOT willing to be the teacher.
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Little Red- I have to agree with you. Bet one of the things he would have been charged with was following too close. No matter that they cut him off then stopped. Seems to be a catch all charge for anyone with a CDL.
As far as hitting them anyways. I sure would have a hard time living with injuring someone or worse killing them. Even if it was in no way my fault. Not to mention the damage he would do to HIS OWN truck!
Hoss You were posting as I was writing mine. Very good points you made.

Answer:
Lori........I forgot to add this also.
I have enough bills to pay without having to pay for some dipsticks rehabilitation or funeral.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Lori...
Professionals don't let their emotions get in the way of doing a job... the professional way.
Hoss...
Good going guy!
That could have been a real disaster. These near miss situations that some drivers have the skill to avoid should go on their records... but no... only the bad stuff goes on the record.

Answer:
Not necessarily pertinet to this post but during my drive today in PA and NJ during moderate to heavy rain I saw at least 6-7 accidents all involving 4 wheelers and NO BIG TRUCKS.They consisted of spin outs multiple vehicle accidents,one rollover and several fender benders.While headed south on the NJ TPK during heavy rains on the truck side most if not all 4 wheelers were at least running 60-65 mph in the left lane while most(95%) of the trucks were running 50-55 mph and keeping a good space cushion between them.
I know its been beat to death but the 4 wheelers need to think before they act around big trucks. I even find myself tempted while dsriving my 4 wheeler to not use my brain around the big trucks.
Please just give us some room and use your head and we will all get to where we need to be safely even if it's a few minutes late.
BETTER LATE THEN NEVER!

Answer:
i guess i should have expressed myself a little better on that one. i realize how you read it but its not what i meant.
i wasn't being literal. it just p*ssed me off so much when i read that i couldn't believe it.
no i would never never hit someone on purpose or even wish that on anyone literally.

Answer:
paul thank you daddy i've learned my lesson. geez. i know how that sounded but i would never hit someone on purpose. i don't think you have time to think the whole thing thru you just react to avoid an accident which you should regardless of what they did.
its over now and everyones ok. thank God. i was just making comments that i was thinking when i read that. if someone would have been injured theres no way i would have thought oh good! they deserved it. no i was just making rude remarks cause they were stupid.

Answer:
no i was just making rude remarks cause they were stupid.
I know.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division