Those of you who know me a little better will remember that I am a CDL holder that doesn't really drive a truck. I was going to, but my plans changed. Anyways, the story is too long.

I am saying this so nobody will think I am trying to pretend I know what I am talking about.

Here's the question.

You are driving your truck on the highway, at about 60miles/h, and a little sedan gets in front of you, just a few feet ahead of you. The traffic slows down suddenly and you are going to hit him from behind.

- do you break?
- do you avoid breaking, so as not to have your trailer skidd and hit other cars on your side?
- do you hit him to teach him a lesson? I hope not, but I've heard truckers talk about this 'option'...

what do you do in a situation like this, when a little guy gets in front of you, and he thinks you can just stop like that?

thank you

 

I would say you should fall back off him as soon as he pulled infront of you, also a driver should be reading the road ahead and notice the build up of traffic before it slows suddenly.

 

If the accident is imminent then I would brake as hard as I can.

Why? Because the only thing I know for sure is that I am going to hit the car, everything else is supposition.

If I have ABS then I will stop in a straight line.

If the road is dry then I will also more than likely stop in a straight line, even if I don't have ABS.

The last thing I want to do is to swerve to miss them, then I more than likely will loose control and could very possible roll.

One thing I do tell all of my students is the following, "If an animal jumps out in front of you, kill the animal. Brake if you can, but do not swerve. You could possible roll or jackknife and then you have destroyed your vehicle. More than likely though, the animal will be OK. So in effect, you where successful in your endeavor which was to save the animals life. What you forgot was your own life, and the life off all the people in the Mini-Van that you rolled over on. But thank God that the deer is OK."

That is I would like to think I would do. I have no idea what you are going to do, nor am I in any way telling you what to do.

And by the way, anyone who would hit them to teach them a lesson, should be summarily executed.

 

You are describing a situation, most of us here are not going to play. If traffic is as congested as you say...and 4-wheeler's are stacking up in front of my bumper...I'm not going to be running 60mph. I'd be focusing on not only what is right infront of me...but I always keep an eye on what is up ahead, and to my sides. If things get real ugly ...and I assume you are talking about a 2 or 3 lane...I'm over on the right lane...where I have the shoulder to dive into....if needed.

This even happened to me from another Tractor/Trailer. He passed me, and began merging back into my lane before he cleared me...and I had to brake and take the shoulder.

Anyway...to answer your question...in the ..."I'm gonna hit this car regardless"...yes...I'm braking...and hoping to control the crash the best I can. I would try to not swing my trailer into cars on my side, nor push this car into them either. All you can hope for, I suppose is to control what you can...and hope for the best.

 

The SIMPLE answer to your 3 questions is obviously yes, no and not EVER!!

As others said, one should ALWAYS be looking ahead and THINKING ahead, to avoid critical situations. Yet, even with traffic flowing smoothly, I've seen the situation you describe. Maybe, a dog runs out in front of the lead vehicles??

No one likes 4wheelers cutting them off, especially when they THEN slow down, but the BEST you can do, is back off and allow room - and be vigilant enough to have seen it coming in the first place, and be AHEAD of the situation.

But, when things happen too quickly, as in your scenario, there is ONE more thing you could do. Unfortunately, I can't post it here without reigniting a fight with a longtime, yet long absent, poster (who I respect.)

Since you don't "actually" drive a truck.... the PERCEIVED damage to those who DO, outweighs your "need to know." You can PM me if you're really THAT curious. [And YES, I will give you BOTH sides to the story.]

 

:lol: :wink:

 

hmmm...the plot thickens...

 

Nice to SEE you again, Rocky!! [REALLY!] Where ya been???

 

Well, Horsepower!!

The title to thread was "To Break, or Not To Break".

In the example that you gave us my suggestion would be to BRAKE hard, but as carefully as possible, so that you don't BREAK anything else!!
8)

 

if i`m not allowed to run them over can I least pull back in front of them and nail the brakes afterwards?