The two sides of driving a big rig
ON THE ROAD: It’s rewarding to deliver things to people but the ‘looky-loos’ are a menace to society
What’s it really like to drive a commercial rig? What really frightens you while driving a rig?
Two of the most popular queries I hear from readers of this column. Makes me step back a bit and stop taking things for granted.
We had just moved to upstate New York in 1962, and while the movers were unloading our long-lost household possessions, which had been sitting on a dock in New Jersey for almost four weeks until they were recovered, I developed a sudden interest in the power unit that pulled the van with our life long treasures inside. I was fascinated. I still am.
I don’t stop and think about it often enough, but one rig can have an effect on one entire family, just by showing up with their treasures. I remember my mom, shedding tears of joy when that rig pulled into our driveway.
I feel that way, pulling a loaded container, a moving van, or even a shuttle van. The destination is of utmost importance. Somebody is depending on me, the driver, to bring that cargo to them. It will make a difference to that person, or maybe to an entire family or even a business.
So, what does it feel like driving a rig? The pressure of doing everything within my power from experience and know-how, to get the rig from point A to point B, safely? It is a wonderful feeling of having accomplished a worthwhile project. It never gets old. It still makes me smile, and to see me smile really freaks out a lot of people too. Added bonus.
The second query gets me bothered just writing about it. Two words: Looky-loos.
You know, those motorists who slow down to view anything unusual while travelling along their regular route. They give no regard or consideration to the folks behind them, and use their mirrors for everything except for what it was originally intended: that being, to view the traffic immediately behind their vehicle.
The looky-loo will immediately lift his/her right foot off the accelerator, or gas pedal, and slow down. Some will even go so far as to hit the brakes. The unfortunate person immediately behind will be completely caught off guard, and will have to hit the brakes, and so will the one behind, and so on and so on. Then if just one person is not paying 100 per cent attention, there is another accident to delay thousands of people on their way to work. All started by one looky-loo. I cannot understand what the looky-loo hopes to see. If there happens to be a massive accident, with bodies all over the freeway, slowing down to view the scene will present him/her with a sight that he/she will never ever be able to forget.
It will be burned into their mind, forever. Their life will never be the same.
And if he/she causes more death and destruction by taking his/ her foot off the gas pedal, and a chain-reaction accident occurs, then another memory. Only this one will involve the police and a court.
What’s that, you say? John, just leave more room in front of your front bumper so you can stop in time?
Well, if I do, then at least two more cars or pickups will squeeze in front of me. Rig drivers can’t win.
So in answer to that second question, it’s Metro Vancouver drivers that frighten me. They are, in my professional opinion, the worst drivers in Canada.
For the life of me, I just can’t understand why everyone is in such a hurry to die.
I could fill a newspaper with stories about road life on the road, but why not share yours? Send them to Driving editor Andrew McCredie at amccredie@postmedia.com.