Ask a Truck driver

27 Sep 2006

a.k.a. "Uncle Dammy's Top Driving Tips"
wink

Quote by BiWelshMinx
Thank you Dambuster and Steve_Mids I have just learnt something new today
Minx x x

Quote by dambuster
It's far too easy for "us" to swear and curse at "idiot car drivers, trying to fuck us up" when the truth of it is that they really, and genuinely, just don't know.

Quote by dambuster
You'll just have to wait and see if I ever get round to boring you shitless and making you suffer a thread called "Uncle Dammy's Top Driving Tips"

Obviously inspired a little by Eager's "Twat on a bike" thread, but also by conversations I've had, questions I've been asked and a genuine desire to "get along" I had thought of writing a thread about the differences between driving trucks and driving cars; and any other vehicle that gets thrown into the mix.
I really do believe that most of the fist waving and bad feelings are due to a lack of understanding. By all parties.
This isn't going to be me telling what's wrong with drivers of other types of vehicle, and hopefully not a slanging match between us.
And the very last thing it is, is me telling anyone how to drive, or putting myself forward as anything I'm not.
Ask away. Anything you want to. And I, and hopefully other truck drivers will put things across from their point of view.
I'll even see if I can put a swinging slant to my answers :wink:

27 Sep 2006

.. . . . . . . . . and my first actual "post" is aimed at pedestrians.
If you are going to cross a road in front of a truck that's sat in a queue, don't cross immediately in front of him.
Due to the height of modern cabs, and the sitting position of the driver (one of the reasons I don't wear a seatbelt rolleyes

) it's entirley possible that you will be under his line of vision and therefore invisible.

27 Sep 2006

I have a question.
In traffic queues on motorway, why do some lorry drivers take it upon themselves to sit accross two lanes thus not allowing traffic to pass and creating more of a backlog?
Also I think that all drivers should be made to ride a motorbike. Bike riders are far more aware of what's going on around them than any other driver.
H.x

27 Sep 2006

Quote by H-x
I have a question.
In traffic queues on motorway, why do some lorry drivers take it upon themselves to sit accross two lanes thus not allowing traffic to pass and creating more of a backlog?
Also I think that all drivers should be made to ride a motorbike. Bike riders are far more aware of what's going on around them than any other driver.
H.x

I agree after taking my test I and other people have said my driving has imporved. Your awareness is also much higher after taking a bike test.

27 Sep 2006

Quote by H-x
I have a question.
In traffic queues on motorway, why do some lorry drivers take it upon themselves to sit accross two lanes thus not allowing traffic to pass and creating more of a backlog?
Also I think that all drivers should be made to ride a motorbike. Bike riders are far more aware of what's going on around them than any other driver.
H.x

Remember now . . . . . . I'm going to offer an answer to the question.
One of the problem we have in this country is lack of education.
I saw, a long time ago in W Germany, what they call the "Zip Fastener" system - merging in turn.
It works well, but only if everybody complies.
If it's a two lane carriageway, a truck driver will sometimes block the the lane that's about to be closed.
It's to stop other drivers going all the way to the cones, where yet other drivers don't let them in.
From a selfish point of view, it does actually allow the offending truck and all traffic in front of it to clear the chicane more quickly, because in time, nobody is added to the "second" queue of drivers wanting to get back into the lane that's staying open.
Unfortunately, it can increase the queue behind. But . . . . . . if everybody behind the truck were to move into the moving lane, that wouldn't happen.
I think it will take time (years) before we all learn to "merge in turn"
From the truck driver's point of view, it's often more about his own lost time, than it is about "holding people up"
I'll do a post about "lost time" and it's consequences later.
kiss

27 Sep 2006

A question not actually related to driving but why do some truck drivers treat their cabs better than they treat their homes? and nearly every conversation they have is truck related? or am i the only truck widow about?
Lou x

27 Sep 2006

Quote by dambuster
I have a question.
In traffic queues on motorway, why do some lorry drivers take it upon themselves to sit accross two lanes thus not allowing traffic to pass and creating more of a backlog?
Also I think that all drivers should be made to ride a motorbike. Bike riders are far more aware of what's going on around them than any other driver.
H.x

Remember now . . . . . . I'm going to offer an answer to the question.
One of the problem we have in this country is lack of education.
I saw, a long time ago in W Germany, what they call the "Zip Fastener" system - merging in turn.
It works well, but only if everybody complies.
If it's a two lane carriageway, a truck driver will sometimes block the the lane that's about to be closed.
It's to stop other drivers going all the way to the cones, where yet other drivers don't let them in.
From a selfish point of view, it does actually allow the offending truck and all traffic in front of it to clear the chicane more quickly, because in time, nobody is added to the "second" queue of drivers wanting to get back into the lane that's staying open.
Unfortunately, it can increase the queue behind. But . . . . . . if everybody behind the truck were to move into the moving lane, that wouldn't happen.
I think it will take time (years) before we all learn to "merge in turn"
From the truck driver's point of view, it's often more about his own lost time, than it is about "holding people up"
I'll do a post about "lost time" and it's consequences later.
kiss

seen this done before it makes a lot of courtious drivers very happy biggrin

and a lot of tossers very mad
nice one :thumbup:

27 Sep 2006

I've worked at firms where cab cleanliness was part of a wider bonus scheme, and also counted towards the invisible points score that decided whether you were giving a brand new truck as they entered the fleet.

27 Sep 2006

Is it true that lorry drivers don't have to wear seat belts?

27 Sep 2006

Yeah, the blinkered 'I happened to be in the right lane and I'm not looking at you so I can't see you so I'm not going to let you in' approach to traffic jams is annoying.
Another question. I know my car or van's stopping distance. I'm assuming that a lorry's stopping distance is far longer. Why do so many lorry drivers drive so close to each other on motorways, it makes me cringe every time I see it.
H.x

27 Sep 2006

Quote by mezagog
seen this done before it makes a lot of courtious drivers very happy
and a lot of tossers very mad
nice one :thumbup:

I look forward to the day when we all accept and learn to merge in turn on the approach to the chicane, rather than trying to jostle for position once we get to the cones.
For me personally, I usually work on a two to one basis. But I will often just simply ignore those I feel are "demanding" to be let in. I am human after all wink

27 Sep 2006

Quote by Kiss
Is it true that lorry drivers don't have to wear seat belts?

Unfortunately not.
I think a recent re-write of the highway code included an edit that made it "driver's and xxxxpassengers of vehicles must wear seatbelts"
In some firms it's also "company policy"

27 Sep 2006

Quote by dambuster

seen this done before it makes a lot of courtious drivers very happy
and a lot of tossers very mad
nice one :thumbup:

I look forward to the day when we all accept and learn to merge in turn on the approach to the chicane, rather than trying to jostle for position once we get to the cones.
For me personally, I usually work on a two to one basis. But I will often just simply ignore those I feel are "demanding" to be let in. I am human after all wink

have been known to block a few prats myself ,, usually to a few thumbs up gestures from behind

27 Sep 2006

Yes.. but that does'nt explain the curtains (especially made), the name plates, scania ladies, flags etc for the windows. Then theres the teles, cookers and all other things. I used to love going in hubbies lorry but it caused to many arguements ( split some pop once on the engine cover and he rushed to wipe it up while shouting at me for making a mess, spill something in my house and oh well rolleyes

).
Begining to think he needs help is there some trucker anon he can atend?
Lou x

27 Sep 2006

Quote by dambuster
Is it true that lorry drivers don't have to wear seat belts?

Unfortunately not.
I think a recent re-write of the highway code included an edit that made it "driver's and xxxxpassengers of vehicles must wear seatbelts"
In some firms it's also "company policy"
I should think so too!!!!!!!
H.x

27 Sep 2006

Quote by H-x
Why do so many lorry drivers drive so close to each other on motorways, it makes me cringe every time I see it.
H.x

The actual stopping distances, although relative, they're pretty much irrelevant when tailgating each other.
Why does it happen ????
Many reasons. It's partly related to the "long overtake" that annoys so many people, which in turn can be related to "lost time" and trying not to be out there too long.
Why do they/we think we can get away with it ?
Possibly confidence. In oneself (false) In the driver in front that he won't break suddenly (false) In the modern machinery we have these days dunno

You may well see a truck and wonder why I'm "weaving" - either within his own lane, or occasionally running his offside wheels on, or over the lane markings. He's possibly having a look forward, around the truck in front, or even behind him if there hasn't been a bend in the road for a while.
A couple of things to bear in mind tho' are perception and relative speeds. - I have to leave you and Emma out of this. Things look (and happen) very differently at 55mph.

27 Sep 2006

Quote by wxmcpl
Begining to think he needs help is there some trucker anon he can atend?
Lou x

pmsl - I sometimes think there ought to be :grin:
But, I must admit to having TV/DVD, fridge, mains power supply, cooker, nail clippers and emery boards, laptop, sheet pillow and duvet; and a whole host of other "home comforts"
I draw the line at spending my own money to tart a truck up tho'

27 Sep 2006

Quote by H-x
I have a question.
In traffic queues on motorway, why do some lorry drivers take it upon themselves to sit accross two lanes thus not allowing traffic to pass and creating more of a backlog?
Also I think that all drivers should be made to ride a motorbike. Bike riders are far more aware of what's going on around them than any other driver.
H.x

Amen to that, sister :thumbup: Since riding rather than driving, you DO take more notice of everything because you feel more vunerable. My mate gave me the best advice - remember to stay alert as if everyone else is trying to kill you. That makes you take notice I can tell you :shock:

27 Sep 2006

Quote by dambuster
Remember now . . . . . . I'm going to offer an answer to the question.

Do you like Yorkies?........and if yes.........do they still do the one with nuts and where can i get them?

27 Sep 2006

Quote by da69ve
Do you like Yorkies?........and if yes.........do they still do the one with nuts and where can i get them?

I do like them, now and then.
I'll have to go looking to see where you could get a nutty one.
But . . . . . . .
In edit . . .
:shock: - Apparently they are:shock: .......

27 Sep 2006

What about women truck drivers? dunno

Does the Yorkie ban include them too?

27 Sep 2006

Not if they want to "Get their lips around this" :shock:

27 Sep 2006

Why is it in pink?.........is there something about you truckers your not telling us....on second thoughts......don't answer that... lol

27 Sep 2006

Quote by dambuster
Not if they want to "Get their lips around this" :shock:

I don't like pink. Can't I have the blue one? :sad:

27 Sep 2006

Quote by Sassy-Seren
Not if they want to "Get their lips around this" :shock:

I don't like pink. Can't I have the blue one? :sad:
Can paint it whatever colour you like :rascal:
sorry for the mini hijack

27 Sep 2006

Is it true that Lorries and Coaches are governed to a certain speed by a device in the engine? If so, what is it and do certain drivers have a way to get round it, either in emergencies or just to get home faster?
John & Shel
PS good post Dammie, perhaps professionals of other trades could do the same thing? Preferably when your thread has run its course.

27 Sep 2006

Quote by Geordiecpl2001
Is it true that Lorries and Coaches are governed to a certain speed by a device in the engine? If so, what is it and do certain drivers have a way to get round it, either in emergencies or just to get home faster?
John & Shel
PS good post Dammie, perhaps professionals of other trades could do the same thing? Preferably when your thread has run its course.

See pages 3 and 4 of this thread
http://www.swingingheaven.co.uk/swingers-forum/viewtopicpage/88515/40.html for the answers to that one.

27 Sep 2006

Quote by Geordiecpl2001
. . . . . and do certain drivers have a way to get round it, either in emergencies or just to get home faster?

Not legally they don't. And with the march of technology, fitting any sort of interruption device (to cancel, fool, or override the limiter) becomes much harder, if not impossible.
It's a long way passed the days of pulling "fuse 21" to cut the limiter off redface

27 Sep 2006

Does flashing my lights when a lorry has overtaken me really help them? Probably a foreign concept to most people, but I can HALVE my fuel consumption by driving 50-60mph and not 70-90 mph on the motorway, which makes a big difference on a 300 mile drive. A friend gave me the tip years ago and it does make sense (Awkward to judge distances etc), or am I just wasting my time?

27 Sep 2006

often seen trucks with c/d's in the window,been told it confuses speed cams....is this true or a load of rubbish........
as for flashing my lights when a truck as overtook me,always do it...just to let them no that the back of there wagon as cleared the front of my car....don't no how much they can see from where they are sat !!!