Okay so I’m making this post to try to understand what other drivers would do in this situation. For some background, I’m just over a year and a half in. Driving an 08′ peterbilt pulling loaded b train, grain trailers.
Last Friday I’m headed east toward Neepawa, MB on the yellow head highway (Canada, for those not familiar). There’s a passing lane shortly before getting to town. I’m going about 110km/hr, loaded with 40 ton of meal. Come in to the passing lane, there’s a semi behind me, just crawling up my anus, likely frothing at the mouth at the idea of getting by.
We enter the passing lane, and I slow to just under 100, he doesn’t pass, but also doesn’t back off. So I slow to about 90 about halfway through the passing lane. Still this dude stays just behind my trailer. We reach the warning sign “lane ends 300m” as I approach that sign I toss the signal on. He decides at this point would be the best time to pass, gets beside my trailer but makes no effort to hurry. The passing lane quickly comes to an end and I’m forced to slow down to about 60 or so before ending up on the damn shoulder. Ended up behind him, then caught up to him at the red light in neepawa and got his trailer number (couldn’t see the truck). I called his company to complain numerous times, they never answered (Caravan logistics).
Now I’ll admit, I was pretty pissed. But later wondered if maybe I should have just slowed down even more, earlier? I understand maybe he was governed, but after that red light in town he was like lightning McQueen, just gone. So I dunno.
I feel as though I gave him plenty of time to get past. So I’m not really sure. I’m just looking for some kind of understanding.
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I kind of chocked it up to the guy was likely a fuckface…but then tonight, just about an hour ago. The same thing happened.
Same highway, different location. This time a deva Jatt driver. The roads are okay tonight, yet I wasn’t super comfortable going 110. Some spots are pretty slick, so I’ve been putting around between 90, 95. Doing what everyone always tells me to not let people rush me and drive where I feel comfortable.
I had a few cars behind me, then him just before getting to a passing lane just West of Yorkton, Sk. Same thing hop in the right lane.
At this point I’m going 90. I see him flash his lights, ok… he passes the passenger vehicles between us, flashes me again. Wtf? …starting to think maybe I have a blowout or something. Anyway, he catches up, starts passing and flashes me again. At this point I’m annoyed and flash my spotlights. Fuck this dude. I’m done. Just pass.
He gets beside me, im getting nervous because the lane is ending, so I let off the gas. The lane ends. I can’t brake too hard because some other guy in a pickup is already a few feet from my bumper, I was worried about him both rear ending me, or swinging around to pass, further prolonging my life on the shoulder. So here I am on the skinny ass narrow shoulder and partly the road. The other driver gets ahead, I get behind him. Everyone’s safe.
So… I dunno. I’m hoping I’m not developing some bad habits just by driving withing my comfort level. I’m definitely not trying to put anyone in any danger. I, atm do believe both of these guys are just assholes. But to hopefully avoid this down the road. Anyone got any pointers?
I’d like to also add. In both of these scenarios. These drivers could have (I know not legally) moved in to the oncoming lane, so I didn’t have to hit that shoulder… potentially the ditch. But they chose not to.
