Comments on: Things I Didn’t Know http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/ Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 21 May 2012 21:13:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nancy http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/#comment-7668 Nancy Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:41:59 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=934#comment-7668 When I was growing up, trucks had a 55 MPH speed limit on roads where the rest of the traffic could go 65. I never see these dual speed limits anymore, but I think they're needed on these mountain roads. When I was growing up, trucks had a 55 MPH speed limit on roads where the rest of the traffic could go 65. I never see these dual speed limits anymore, but I think they’re needed on these mountain roads.

]]> By: Richard http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/#comment-7664 Richard Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:37:15 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=934#comment-7664 Trying to take advantage of the downhill is not justification for speeding, nor is it for tailgating. "The difference[in horsepower]" has nothing to do with your ability to brake. Trying to take advantage of the downhill is not justification for speeding, nor is it for tailgating. “The difference[in horsepower]” has nothing to do with your ability to brake.

]]> By: Jack http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/#comment-7655 Jack Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:53:57 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=934#comment-7655 I too have been tailgated by trucks and had to raise my speed to 95 mph on long downhills to stay ahead by just a few feet. My wife woke up from her nap once and thought she was in a nightmare as another truck was passing on the right... must have been empty as his rear was swinging back and forth wildly. You can't change lanes and slow down when another truck is blocking the right lane and speeding too. Our growing dependence on just-in-time shipping is lowering our safety and quality of life so a few can save a few more dollars. I too have been tailgated by trucks and had to raise my speed to 95 mph on long downhills to stay ahead by just a few feet. My wife woke up from her nap once and thought she was in a nightmare as another truck was passing on the right… must have been empty as his rear was swinging back and forth wildly. You can’t change lanes and slow down when another truck is blocking the right lane and speeding too. Our growing dependence on just-in-time shipping is lowering our safety and quality of life so a few can save a few more dollars.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/#comment-7652 Nancy Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:43:06 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=934#comment-7652 This snippet from the article is for the guy who doubted my story about being tailgated by trucks going down mountains: "The difference [in horsepower] also helps explain why you sometimes see a truck’s grille filling up your mirror and tailing you much too close for comfort, especially on downgrades. The truck driver is probably trying to gather speed for the next upgrade. Unfortunately, you can’t do much under these circumstances except to understand the big rig’s limits and get out of the way. “The margin of safety to the rear is the hardest to control,” says Ward. “It’s probably best to change lanes, slow down slightly and let the truck pass.” This snippet from the article is for the guy who doubted my story about being tailgated by trucks going down mountains:

“The difference [in horsepower] also helps explain why you sometimes see a truck’s grille filling up your mirror and tailing you much too close for comfort, especially on downgrades. The truck driver is probably trying to gather speed for the next upgrade. Unfortunately, you can’t do much under these circumstances except to understand the big rig’s limits and get out of the way. “The margin of safety to the rear is the hardest to control,” says Ward. “It’s probably best to change lanes, slow down slightly and let the truck pass.”

]]> By: Dale http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/08/things-i-didnt-know-8/#comment-7649 Dale Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:08:04 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=934#comment-7649 Tom, I am surprised the article didn't mention that a truck will travel about twice it's length before the driver will hit the brakes. So in reality it takes around four football fields to actually come to a complete stop while loaded. ABS brakes may have shortened that slightly, but they mostly keep the trailer behind the truck. Tom,
I am surprised the article didn’t mention that a truck will travel about twice it’s length before the driver will hit the brakes. So in reality it takes around four football fields to actually come to a complete stop while loaded. ABS brakes may have shortened that slightly, but they mostly keep the trailer behind the truck.

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