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Started By
Message
re: What can be done to curtail this 18 wheeler problem?
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:34 am to fishfighter
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:34 am to fishfighter
Loggers have exemptions as well but only from forest to mill.
0
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:37 am to Festus
quote:
I drive this stretch fairly regularly. I'm always amazed at the attitude of the truck drivers. They constantly switch lanes with no regard for anyone around them. Normally, they pull into the passing lane whenever they want, regardless of the cars around them, and then slow down to below speed limit, daring you to try and pass them on the right. It's the whole arrogance, "we own the road" attitude that drives me nuts.
Absolutely correct. I also drive this stretch quite regularly, and 'safe driving' is not the term that comes to mind when describing the truck drivers' technique.
'Aggressive and dangerous' is a far more accurate description. Not sure where all these conscientious truck drivers described by some of the other posters operate, but it isn't in south Louisiana.
They invariably force themselves into the left lane at an inappropriate, congestion-inducing speed, using their large mass.
And yes, there are a bunch of people driving 4 wheeled vehicles like a-holes, too. Terrible combination.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:38 am to VetteGuy
overall length i think is like 75 feet bumper to bumper. it is the axle spacings that usually bring about a citation. 53' domestic vans have sliding tandems. the weight redistributes throughout the tractor-trailer based on where the tandems are in relation to the trailer. the weight breakdowns are a standard 12k on the steer axles and 34k on the drive and rear axles.
one thing which may help with truck congestion is a very recent decision by the DOT to adjust the 34 hour break drivers must take. about a year ago, it was decreed that this 34 hour break must include 2 1am to 5am periods. the complaint was that it would indirectly cause more drivers to get back to work during peak traffic periods (morning rush hour) rather than allowing them to utilize the roads when they were emptier. as of last week, this rule has been temporarily suspended on a trial basis. hopefully this clears some of the congestion.
sorry for so much text.
one thing which may help with truck congestion is a very recent decision by the DOT to adjust the 34 hour break drivers must take. about a year ago, it was decreed that this 34 hour break must include 2 1am to 5am periods. the complaint was that it would indirectly cause more drivers to get back to work during peak traffic periods (morning rush hour) rather than allowing them to utilize the roads when they were emptier. as of last week, this rule has been temporarily suspended on a trial basis. hopefully this clears some of the congestion.
sorry for so much text.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:41 am to 9th life
Thanks for the clarifications. 
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:41 am to 9th life
quote:
one thing which may help with truck congestion is a very recent decision by the DOT to adjust the 34 hour break drivers must take. about a year ago, it was decreed that this 34 hour break must include 2 1am to 5am periods. the complaint was that it would indirectly cause more drivers to get back to work during peak traffic periods (morning rush hour) rather than allowing them to utilize the roads when they were emptier. as of last week, this rule has been temporarily suspended on a trial basis. hopefully this clears some of the congestion
excellent post
when they changed this rule, it was said by tons industry officials that it would cause more congestion
This post was edited on 12/20/14 at 10:44 am
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:46 am to VetteGuy
no sweat.
for what its worth, my drivers hate going through baton rouge too.
for what its worth, my drivers hate going through baton rouge too.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:48 am to KingRanch
When they crash, their size means that they will block multiple lanes and cause more destruction.
For every FedEx or Wal Mart type of carrier with a good record, you have dozens more with terrible, impatient operators who have no problem delaying or endangering your family so his cargo can get to its destination 10 seconds faster.
Big rigs should be limited to 55 mph in the right lanes if it is a congested area like Baton Rouge or if there is even a slight grade.
As posted earlier, some of the DOT regs placed on truck drivers now almost encourage them to operate at peak travel times. It doesn't make any sense.
For every FedEx or Wal Mart type of carrier with a good record, you have dozens more with terrible, impatient operators who have no problem delaying or endangering your family so his cargo can get to its destination 10 seconds faster.
Big rigs should be limited to 55 mph in the right lanes if it is a congested area like Baton Rouge or if there is even a slight grade.
As posted earlier, some of the DOT regs placed on truck drivers now almost encourage them to operate at peak travel times. It doesn't make any sense.
This post was edited on 12/20/14 at 10:55 am
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:52 am to 9th life
Louisiana has the longest "grandfathered" trailer length in the country - 59.6 feet (so does Okla.). Most states are at 48 and the federal regulation is 48 feet, subject to grandfathering on a state by state basis.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:54 am to member12
quote:
so his cargo can get to its destination 10 seconds faster.
Rarely crosses a driver's mind. Now meeting an appointment time that has narrow window of leniency is another thing. Drivers are selfish by nature and have way too much alone time to think and form their opinions.
This post was edited on 12/20/14 at 10:56 am
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:57 am to KingRanch
Invest in rail infrastructure and put the cargo on rail where it belongs.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:57 am to fishfighter
quote:
SIL was going hunting this morning and ran into the back of a loaded cane truck that didn't have any running lights or tail lights.
Cane trucks and dump trucks are like the pissed off teenager of the big rig world.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:57 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
the logical step is to make the interstate harder for them to use; not the 18-wheelers
Posted on 12/20/14 at 10:58 am to LSU1NSEC
quote:
Congress just voted to allow 18 wheeler drivers to drive 82 hours per week instead of 70. Enjoy your methed-up-truck-driver anarchy on the highways.
No they didn't jackass. Learn how to read the laws.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:18 am to lsuhunt555
I drive the I-12 corridor between Baton Rouge and Mandeville frequently. Too many 18 wheelers are way too aggressive. They pull in the left lane right in front of you and you have to hit the brakes. Saw one this week doing 70+ in left lane two feet behind the bumper of a car in front of him. Not many cops out there east of Hammond.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:19 am to Nawlens Gator
quote:
I drive the I-12 corridor between Baton Rouge and Mandeville frequently. Too many 18 wheelers are way too aggressive. They pull in the left lane right in front of you and you have to hit the brakes. Saw one this week doing 70+ in left lane two feet behind the bumper of a car in front of him. Not many cops out there east of Hammond.
I see this every time I'm on that section.
It's bad west of the river too between Baton Rouge and the basin.
This post was edited on 12/20/14 at 11:21 am
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:22 am to member12
Truck drivers used to be the best, most dependable drivers on the road. Over the last 10-15 years, they have just gotten awful. I suspect lower standards and easy of licensing (and skilled drivers) as the problem.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:22 am to TIGRLEE
Some loser on a motorcycle probably cut in front of him and caused him to lose control.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:24 am to member12
quote:
I drive the I-12 corridor between Baton Rouge and Mandeville frequently. Too many 18 wheelers are way too aggressive. They pull in the left lane right in front of you and you have to hit the brakes. Saw one this week doing 70+ in left lane two feet behind the bumper of a car in front of him. Not many cops out there east of Hammond.
I see this every time I'm on that section.
And it is this dynamic that causes already bad drivers to drive more aggressively. The ramifications of a bad 18 wheeler driver outweigh those of a bad car driver exponentially.
Posted on 12/20/14 at 11:25 am to member12
quote:
Big rigs should be limited to 55 mph in the right lanes if it is a congested area like Baton Rouge or if there is even a slight grade
Terrible idea. This would cause more wrecks
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