Problem with trucks

[Suze]

Wahi - I would have slowed in the passing lane, letting the coal truck get by. Why not? Then you'd be rid of him and he'd be rid of you. Win-win.

I find that overall, driving the smart is a more "interactive" experience than bigger cars. You need to be defensive and pay attention. On hills, you need to be in the right gear and watch your speed. In windy conditions, you need to hang on with both hands and not freak when the car suddenly moves sideways. In traffic, you need to expect that some bigger vehicle is going to try to kill you. Everytime. Very much like riding a motorcycle.

[wahi]

Thanks for the pointers. I've never driven anything bigger than a 14-foot uHaul truck; don't really know how those coal trucks drive. But I have three chipped-stars on my windshield, all from trucks as they passed (I don't follow them close at all unless it's crawling traffic), and had vowed not to let that happen again. Not trying to rude, but if I were rude not letting them pass, they must be equally rude to not cover their rocky goods or at least prevent them from falling off and hitting those they leave behind.

In any case, the incident I was in, and you guys, taught me a few things. I want it to be my first and last incident.

p.s: Suze, I saw your post just as I entered mine. Yep, I was allowing those trucks to pass and got stones as thanks..but you're right, smart drives differently, and am learning even after 20,000 miles of it..

[John_H]

Originally Posted by unicycle

I've even seen that mirror writing A C from the M A C K truck as it got way too close. Yipe!

You've seen this, right?

[forestacademy]

Left Lane Slowpoke

[Jim R]

I recently had a truck on my tail in a residential area that was giving me the intimidating tailgate routine.I was in a bad mood at the time and thought how much fun it would be to slow down and stop right in the road.Then I would get out and walk my 6'4" hillbilly frame up to him and call him out. But instead I carefully moved over and stuck my arm out the window,waving him to pass.He did,I continued at my own pace,and I let it go.I'm glad I did.It was better than going to jail or getting shot.

[wahi]

Jim R, you made my day. Thanks.

[Carlarm]

I liked forestacademy's advice of speeding up as I pass the truck. Though I wonder if this would be considered a valid reason to speed if I get pulled over by a cop.

[John_H]

There are NO valid reasons to speed. Or at least that's what the judge told me.

[forestacademy]

Just make sure your going the speed limit when you clear his front end.

If you have an issue claim he was starting to move over and you had to make evasive manuvers. As long as your not speeding after you clear him.

By that logic you would never be able to safely pass on a two lane road unless the other car was going 15 under the speed limit.

But Im not realy here to state you should speed, just do what you have to to keep from being squashed and get out of the blind spots