This was posted by longhairbiker in another thread, and I started thinking about it...

First, CONGRATULATIONS!!! that is not an easy feat to accomplish!!


Driving 3 million accident free miles is incredible!! Especially now, with all the friggen traffic on the roads! and then factor in the weather, the road conditions, the pounding on their body...

I know that truckers are pegged for many things and shown in a negative light much of the time.

Do people realize how long it takes for a semi to stop?

Do people realize that there is 80,000 pounds (loaded) of weight?

I have driven truck in the past, and my BF drives now...I was in the truck with him this past Jan, Feb, and March...*shakes head*

Many people drive like their car is an accessory...

even in the last 10 years, when I drove about 500-600 miles per week for my job, which was driving a car, not a truck...I cannot tell you how many accidents that I AVOIDED by using common sense instead of texting, eating, putting on make-up, blah blah blah...


Truckers are the life bread of our nation...there is NOTHING that you use, nothing that you buy...NOTHING that does not get moved by truck at one point...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkfOpl0ujH4

Truckers are the heartbeat of America!!

It is a very hard job, very stressful job...

Amen and he can pick his nose all he wants.

I will second that and kuddos Kyle for what you do.

My dad was a cross country driver for many years he never had a accident driving. Instead one time when he had just parked and a few other truckers were crossing the road out of nowhere a car came no lights on it was dark and hit them all. It ended up breaking my dad's leg where the bumper of the car hit him he lived with a steel rod in his leg for the rest of his life. The other trucker was not so lucky took him right out of his boots my dad said they were in the road as if he was going to take another step.

People just do not realize what truckers go through what they do and the life that most of them actually give up.

We very seldom got to see my dad till he finally retired all due to he was on the road most of the time.

People should think twice before they pull out in front of a truck and realize they can not stop on a dime. Seen a truck jack-knifed the other day all due to someone pulled out in front of him on the freeway he had no where to go.

Um.... I'm almost speechless? Thank you. I don't drive snymore and really only did it in an attempt to understand my father and grandfather more. What I found... Mostly feelings and knowledge of things I really can't explain. But a few things I would like to mention: weight is something most people don't actually understand. Think about a slow moving train and you hear someone in the car say to it hurry up! Heavy and light is easy. differences between weights of a pickup to a car or between two bodies can be grasped at least enough. Understanding 80,000 lbs to 2000 lbs is not really all that easy for people. Now through in one single train car handling up to 300,000lbs and up. Cali and in the world of being GREEN, we understand stop and go creates polition and uses more gas and fuel yet we have no problem slowing a truck down so we can get in front and not be slowed by it. A vehicle that can burn a gallon a mile while building up speed and my get around 5 to 10 miles per gal at highway speeds.

Wait I'm rambling... I think ill leave it at that.

Thanks everyone !30 yrs here !

My hats off to the real professional drivers... Not only do they have to contend with smaller vehicles but they also have to contend with rig's piloted by idiots.

So many trucker schools... Lots of unprofessional drivers on the wheel.

Just today...

Seen a driver attempt to corner in the same way he would have with his car... Can you imagine where his trailer went?
(one less signal light to contend with this week).

Seen a driver take a small box under a nine foot bridge. He he he... Got the cab through, left the trailer behind (along with a four foot section of the bridge).

Lots of times I'll watch a trucker at a red light turn in front of oncomming traffic and stop everyone... When they could have just waited for the darn light to change and HAD the right of way.

But can he pick his friend's nose while driving???

I cannot believe all the changes that are out there now, from 30 years ago...

The truck stops are now "travel centers" with so much crap in them, you can barely get through them to the shower area...

The places you can no longer park...and NOT even idle the truck!!

I know that driving a truck is a total way of life, it is not for everyone for sure!

It takes a lot to drive a truck...a lot of common sense, knowledge, and ability.

Thank you Startraveler for doing what you do!!

Thats a 10-4 good buddy.

AWWWWWWWWWWW Thanks lighthouse just followed in Grandpas footsteps.It is a way of life but I do fear for the future with the new generation of drivers and the government butting in with they're new rules and regs .Got maybe ten years to go and I hope I make it !

Oh..I love the bridge thing!! I have seen that a few times!

there are always going to be idiot drivers around, and the driver mills are generally sponsored by the industry! sad sad sad...they can put drivers in one of their trucks and pay them little per mile to drive...it is sad...

yet, the people who drive an RV need no special license or training... so, the big RV that is pulling a boat, pulling a trailer, pulling a car behind it...yea...that is an accident waiting to happen!!

I personally, feel there are a lot more professional drivers than idiot drivers...maybe not, but I think I will believe my delusion...

I have seen a driver "straighten" out a new driver a few times...sometimes, they just need some direction!!

I have known a few truckers over the years, the ones I've known were professional in every sense of the word. Truckers (mostly) ROCK.

All you truckers out there, stay safe - we all need you.

It's nice to know somebody still gives a damn !Sometimes when your asked what do we need you for ya start to wonder .Thanks to Earthy !

Oops. Held my tongue sideways before I got the post out.

In my job, I get to see the best, and the worst, of the truck drivers they allow out on the roads these days.

Kudos to all of you safe truckers out there.

My husband and I owned a small trucking company. I never drove, but I tagged along when he drove a lot of times. The things you see from the cab of a truck. Oy!

It's awful how we mandate how long a driver drives and YET we make it impossible for them to stop and rest when required to do so. (No parking, no idling, etc.)

I've known a lot of drivers who have been the first on the scene of an accident, the first to give aid, the ones who call for help, etc. Many a car goes tooling by when someone needs aid, but a trucker will throw his tight schedule to the wind and stop.

Drivers often get a bum rap. For the most part, they are some of the nicest, most polite and down-to-earth folks you'd ever want to meet.

Having just come off a 1000 plus mile trip in 92 hours (with some spots of sleep in a decent bed with good meals in between), I can tell you I could never hang with the Knights/Duchesses of the Road. My hat's off to ya'll who keep this nation going.

My dad's been driving for 45 years and never was in an accident he caused. Two of my brothers are truck drivers. I've seen them do the most insane stuff with their trucks. My sister used to drive like she was a NASCAR driver (can't do so in an automatic minivan)

I, however, am a horrible driver. I'm perfectly fine until other people are driving near me. It scares the bejesus outta me. I don't know why, and I'm trying to get passed it but it's tough.

Kudos to all you champion drivers, you make me less scared

Lol. Talk about things changing in the last 30 years.... "10-4 good buddy" not such a nice thing to call someone on the radio these days. Sorry but I really don't wanna explain for fear of starting an argument.

I was thinking the same thing!!

You guys crack me up .There is'nt much of the "ten code " used anymore but a real man would take it for what it means and not be offended so relax !