Swerving truck --> sleep-deprivation?

[JT94]

Anyone have a similar experience to this? I had a scary run-in with a truck driver on the 401 this morning. I'm doing just over the limit on the right-most lane, when a truck tries to enter my lane from the left passing lane doing at least 120. Needless to say, he wasn't going to make it into my lane unless I floored it or he braked at the last second. He ended up getting really close and then swerved back into the left passing lane. There wasn't anyone behind him, so it didn't make sense for him to move behind a slower car to the right (me). What's worse is he ended up slowing down and I watched through my rear-view as he swerved side-to-side, and eventually doing the same thing to me again. I ended up losing my cool, braking to show him how it felt, giving him the finger through the rear windshield, and then speeding off in the left-most passing lane to avoid another one of his swerves. In hindsight, that really didn't solve anything apart from maybe giving him a jolt to drive better. At one point, I actually checked the back of the truck for one of those 'call me and tell me how my driving his' stickers without any luck. I felt silly calling the police on him since there's a chance he was losing focus on driving for a while (texting?), for which the police would likely do nothing as there would be no proof. Then I thought he could very well be sleep-deprived. Should I have called? I think I just need a dash-cam.

[Supercooled]

Could be. it is a big problem for sure.

[thetim]

I ended up losing my cool, braking to show him how it felt, giving him the finger through the rear windshield, and then speeding off in the left-most passing lane to avoid another one of his swerves.

From your message, I'm not entirely sure what happened. Glad you are okay.

However, it's really stupid to be braking in front of a tractor trailer, given they have huge stopping distances and are usually carrying large loads behind them.

It's not worth ending up dead by essentially trying to teach someone else a lesson or 'being right'.

[Cerebro]

I'm on the 401 every night between 2 - 3am, and the majority of the traffic is truckers. Last week I saw a dude swerving all over his lane, well over the rumble strips. I called it in; there was a huge hill with a curve coming up, and I'd feel awful if anything happened and I could have done something to prevent it. I ended up making two calls to police that night -- the second was because I went to McDonald's and heard the driver ahead of me telling the cashier that he was having trouble remembering his PIN because he was drunk, and to cancel his order.

[Mayosandwich]

Drivers falling asleep behind the wheel causes 1 out of every 5 accidents, its a soaring number thats only getting worse.

Distracted driving like texting, girls putting on make up I consider just as bad.

Just the other day I saw a girl stop at a green light cause she was too busy putting on her makeup. Cars behind were honking and 5 secs later when she finally wakes up and starts to get going light turns yellow then red. So she runs the red and nearly hitting another car. Idiots.

[Supercooled]

I work nights i udually tey to get home asap so i feel less of a dabger. I dont drink caffiene too late so i cam sleep but i dont have a choice.

[beleafer81]

I am up late for work, and my work involves travel. 2 weeks ago while driving the 401 near Napanee I encountered a swerving big rig. (it was not windy) After watching several close calls and thinking of a recent bad crash near that location ( http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/05/15/tractor-trailers-crash-hwy401.html ) I was positive he was either drunk, drugged, or very drowsy. This truck was extreemly dangerous to other motorists, and even more so when the vehicle is that large and heavy. By the time I reached shannonville I called 911.

After a few minites of relaying the info to OPP dispatch (it was a well marked trailer on the truck) they assured me police would be on their way. I decided not to pass and drove behind him. At one point, while drifting from lane to lane he cut off another SUV. That driver pulled in behind (between me and the truck) and followed for a while too. It is quite possible that driver may have also called the police. He only followed for a few minites, pulled along side the truck for a bit and the took off. But I was still following. All the while I had seen no police on the road. Then when we were passing Brighton, I saw an OPP in the median turn around facing the other way (targeting speeders?). At this point I decided to call 911 again because we had passed the "on route" truck stop in trenton, not to mention the truck stops in belleville, and this guy in my opinion was getting worse. He had a few spots to stop and get off the road (if he was in fact just drowsy) and did not. Plus if the police were having difficulty finding the truck that cop would have been very close and would have been able to catch up quickly.

When I called the second time I made it clear that I didn't want to tie up emergency lines and if this was not a priority for police I would not bother them again. The dispatcher said it was worthy of a 911 call and that we had just crossed into a different detachment and the information had not been passed along. Again they claimed police would be setting up ahead to intercept, but it never happened. I followed this truck for almost 80 km and when I exited the HWY he was still as dangerous as when I first saw him.

I have had several encounters with drunk/crazy drivers (car driving down the 416 the wrong way, almost hit by red light runner ect) in witch I have called 911 and once was called to court to testify as a witness. Sadly in that case the officer could not show up. When I encounter these nut jobs I get that bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and feel it is my responsibiliy as a citizen to call the police. I know if I pick up the paper the next day and read of an accident i would feel sorry for the inniocent victems when I could have done something.

I dont know what the problem was with the OPP that night. But it did leave me questioning whether or not its worth it again next time, and I know there will be a next time, I see some drunk on the road again.

[starboy869]

Your car 2500lbs vs his truck 25000lbs. If he 'road rages' to your road rage your about to have a very bad day.

[JAGpilot]

Please do not use 911 to report motorist issues. There is a special number for that kind of stuff. *OPP

[sickcars]

Brake Testing a Truck or any car for that matter but especially a big rig truck is the stupidest thing you can do. Not only is there is much better chance of him rear ending you & if not you are going to piss him off much more. My suggestion is get out of the way next time and done play games with trucks

Also I thought trucks were limited to 105km/h if thats the case he was not doing 120km/h like you suggested & if it seemed like that then chances are you were going well under the speed limit. Seems like your story just not add up....

[AnotherCanuck]

Please do not use 911 to report motorist issues. There is a special number for that kind of stuff. *OPP

It is perfectly acceptable to call 911 to report a dangerous motorist, in addition to *OPP.

[GunnerX]

It's always a great idea to brake check a truck driver that you suspect is falling asleep.

[lildevilx]

Also I thought trucks were limited to 105km/h if thats the case he was not doing 120km/h like you suggested & if it seemed like that then chances are you were going well under the speed limit. Seems like your story just not add up....
i don't know i don't think it made it to the bylaw yet so not all trucks has a speed limiter


It's always a great idea to brake check a truck driver that you suspect is falling asleep.
**if you want to get ram off the road**

[ShadowVlican]

It's always a great idea to brake check a truck driver that you suspect is falling asleep.
lolwut... sarcasm isn't always obvious on the internet...

[feet_]

A bag of marbles is great road rage ammo...
Trucker was. Prob wacking it

[Ojam]

Was probably defencerulez. That guy is looking to kill somebody as per his own signature.