Big Trucks Brake Slowly: Please be Cautious on the Road

We all know the scenario. You are running late ,and you see a gap just big enough to squeeze in between two vehicles. You slide over and have to brake a little. No big deal, right? Well, it could be a big deal if you have just pulled in front of a dump-truck or semi-truck.

My husband drives a dump-truck for a living. Almost everyday he comes home with a story about how someone cut him off or how he almost hit someone and he could see a car seat in the back of their car or a little kids head in the window. My husband is not a bad driver or a mean guy, he is upset by these instances. He would be devastated if he hurt someone. The problem is that his dump-truck has air brakes and is very heavy, especially when fully loaded. It simply takes more room to stop than a car. If a big truck is leaving a large gap between himself and the next car it is so he has enough room to stop safely, not so you can get over. I know everyone is angry when they get "stuck" behind a truck, but it is better to be late than to cause an accident.

These drivers are specially trained, but no amount of training can overcome the mechanics of their vehicles. So next time you are out driving, be aware of the truck drivers and remember they need a little extra room on the road. It could prevent an accident and possibly save lives. My grandfather was a truck-driver and he hit a car that ran through a stop sign. He told my mother he could see the face of a little old man right before the impact, but had no time to stop. The man died and my grandfather was heart-broken. The effects of a big-rig hitting a car is devastating. Surviving an accident with a large vehicle is unlikely, so we all need to do our part to help prevent the accidents from ever happening. Not only are the lives of innocent people cut short, but the lives of the people driving the big trucks are altered forever as well. Hopefully everyone will be a little more aware of the big trucks on the road and give them the extra room they require. I wish safe and happy driving to everyone!