Hooray for Truck Drivers!!

This is a random post, not about mothery things like most of mine are, but it's something on my mind.

I'm from Montana and one of the first things I noticed when I moved to California was the animosity that most people here have towards truck drivers.  I just don't get it.  Some truck drivers may be jerks but they certainly aren't all that way.  Some store clerks, mail men, or accountants might be jerks too but we don't write off the whole profession like people here do with truck drivers.  So why???

I think that in most other states, the population is much smaller and as a result a higher percentage of people have experience driving heavy equipment.  In all of Montana, the population is about one million people.  Many are farmers and ranchers and so have driven heavy equipment (tractors, combines, loaders, backhoes) and pulled trailers.  The average Californian has done none of those things.

I'm THANKFUL for truck drivers!  It is not an easy job.  It has long hours, the pay isn't usually great, they are at the mercy of many circumstances beyond their control (meaning their paycheck is at the mercy of many circumstances beyond their control) and it takes incredible skill to do what they do.  INCREDIBLE skill!!!  I know many people who can't back into a parking spot, let alone back a huge 18-wheeler into a tiny loading dock.  Show some appreciation for the skill that it takes.

It's because of truck drivers that this country can run the way it does.  America is known for it's "stuff".  Yes we all probably have too much, but I like my stuff.  And all that stuff gets from one end of the country to the other mainly because of truck drivers.  From produce to potato chips, magazines, and make-up, truckers are the ones who get it to the stores where you buy it.  If they didn't get it there, who would??  Trains may be another option but by far the fastest and cheapest way to move product is by truck.  

The typical trucker gets paid by the mile.  That means any time they spend sitting in traffic, loading or unloading, they are getting paid nothing.  Truckers have lots of reasons for doing this job.  It really isn't just because they want to inconvenience you on the freeway.  For some it's a family business.  Some may just like to drive and others may like the alone time.  Whatever the reason, it's an important job and they should be treated that way.

What can you do to make their lives a little easier?  As believers we should constantly be looking around to see what we can do to help.  And not just our friends or people from church, anyone who God sends across our path.  That's what having a servants heart is all about!  Helping people.

Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

So what can you do to help?  How can you be more considerate of truck drivers?  For starters stop driving so close.  When you drive too close they can't see you.  If you can't see their side mirrors, you're in their blind spot.  Not smart!  Someone driving that heavy of machinery needs to be able to see the cars around them and they need your help to do that.  If he needs to get into another lane and can't see you in the way, it's your fault, not his if you get hit.  Be aware of his blind spots.

Stop driving so close!  That means in front and in back.  Don't cut him off!  Trucks are huge and heavy.  They can't stop as fast as our little vehicles can.  If they have to stop fast because of something, it just takes longer than if it does for you.  And if he has to stomp on his brakes the truck may jack-knife (truck stops but trailer goes sideways), affecting cars in other lanes.  It takes a truck about twice as much time to stop as a car.  If you're passing him you need to make sure you can see the entire front of the truck in your review mirror before you pull in front of him.

Stop driving so close!  Give Mr. Truckdriver some extra room.  Wide berth is the technical term meaning he requires additional lanes.  He's not being greedy with the road, he really needs that space.  If you are waiting on a street for an ongoing truck to turn in front of you don't crowd him.  You'll get your turn!  He needs the extra room or he might hit you.  And that won't be his fault, it's yours.

And lastly, stop driving so close!  Have you ever gotten a chip in your windshield because of the rocks that a truck kicks up?  That stinks.  But maybe if you hadn't been driving so close you wouldn't have gotten hit.  Not his fault, it's yours!  Did you know that the best driving distance behind trucks is 20-25 car lengths.  Seriously!

People in California drive so fast.  We're all in a huge hurry to enjoy the laid back lifestyle that comes with living here.  Sometimes we drive too close to truckers so that someone else can't get in front of us.  That's a dumb reason.  It's like little kids fighting in line about who gets to go first.  Only on the freeway it's so much more dangerous.  Just relax!  You'll get there!  Stop being so pushy!  You wouldn't stand in line behind a sumo wrestler all figdigty, invading his space.  He might bop you one!  Same goes with acting like that around trucks.  Knock it off!

This is a very good article on how to stay out of a truck's blind spots.  This isn't just for your own safety, it's also just plain considerate.

http://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Out-of-a-Truck's-Blind-Spots