Bad drivers abound

Dear sir:
There has always been a distinct attitude—a difference between those who drive semi-trucks and smaller vehicles such as pick-up trucks, SUVs, and passenger cars. Not just in size, or mechanics, I am speaking of the opinions expressed by both sides of the argument.
People who drive small vehicles tend to think of truck drivers as bullies of the highway. Our sheer size alone can intimidate smaller vehicles, and a driver who is feeling a bit of road rage (comes easy sometimes to the best of us) can easily use this size difference to dominate even the larger passenger vehicles on the road.
Truck drivers have a slight advantage for observation over smaller vehicles. Simply put, we can see into most vehicles and observe what the other drivers are doing. I recently started driving semi-trucks, and until then, had no idea how passenger vehicles affect commercial vehicles on the road.
I am not certain if this applies to all over Canada, however, this is how the people of Fort Frances drive. . . .
I, myself, am guilty for forgetting to signal when I make a turn, however, there are people who just assume that the other drivers know where they are going—as they hurtle back and forth between lanes with reckless abandon.
Funny thing is, in my experience, it is the SUVs and boat trailers that forget to signal the worst.
My favourite “bad habit” that smaller vehicles have is to pass me on the right-hand side, pull in front of me, signal left, and stop or crawl forward to make the corner. I just about wore some small red pick-up as a hood ornament a few months back when he pulled just this very stunt.
It was a close call, and what bothers me the most is that I was paying attention!
They should teach every driver about air brakes, or at least the functions of them, so that other drivers (not just truck drivers) will realize that small vehicles stop faster. You hit the brakes, pressure is applied, and you stop. In an air-brake vehicle, you hit the brakes, wait for your pressure to fill your brake drums, pressure is applied, and you stop.
Think about that the next time you need to make a left turn ahead and have a semi-truck and trailer on your left. Slow down, get behind me, and make your corner. I am quite certain no one wants me to be sporting their vehicle around town attached to my front bumper.
Crosswalks. A week ago, I watched as a very eager youngster and his grandfather tried to use the crosswalk in the west end. The little boy insisted on pressing the button, and then waited with his grandfather as traffic came to a halt at the designated spots.
The little boy, his faith in those lights installed, and that of the driver’s ability to stop, bolted across the crosswalk. I watched in horror as some vehicle at the end barely brought his vehicle to a halt before nearly hitting the child.
The grandfather raced across the road and dragged the youngster to safety. Once there, I watched as he berated the little boy for darting out in front of cars like he had.
I honestly believe the young boy did nothing wrong! His trust in the mechanics of the crosswalk, and the drivers on the road, are borne from the fact most of us are genuinely good drivers. Most of the time. Accidents occur to the best of us.
Reading! Can you imagine? One hand on the wheel and the other turning pages. I wonder where the driver’s eyes are?
I have four words for those people with cell phones (some truck drivers are guilty, too): hang up and drive! You know the position—head leaning on their shoulder to hold a tiny cell phone, or worse, one hand holding the phone to their ear.
I know they are not paying attention to their surroundings as they chat, laugh, and play Russian roulette with others’ lives.
I have contemplated writing this letter for a few weeks now, however, yesterday was the catalyst. While walking downtown, through an intersection properly marked, I was struck by a pick-up truck. I was not hurt, and have no desire to pursue the matter, yet it prompted me to have to say something.
Fort Frances drivers are inattentive, aggressive, and more concerned with talking, changing music, putting on makeup, attending to their children, and whatever else that is causing them to drive so poorly. My co-workers joke with me that I should hit one or two vehicles a week and maybe you guys would take a hint.
Tempting, but I guess I will just have to stay mindful of what you are doing, plug into my psychic network so I can anticipate your erratic turns, and use bullying tactics so you do not attempt to try and sneak around me at corners and get into my blind spot.
Remember, if you cannot see my mirrors on my truck, I cannot see you!
Signed,
Zzorhn Carlson (Joe)
Fort Frances, Ont.