Over worked truck drivers.

[RussellB[SA]]

WE saw a lot of things on our way to Cairns and back (8,688 kms in all) and saw some unforgettably stupid behaviour by "P" platers, caravan rigs and trucks.

Here's one that really got to me.

We were travelling on the boring flat straight road on way to West Wyalong (don't quote me I didn't ask the co-pilot) when I noticed in my rear vision a truck coming up behind me slowly, normally I jump on ch40 and let them past as I like to cruise at 90-95 but can lift it to whatever is needed to keep traffic flowing. I alway pull over if there's black stuff under my wheels. Before the truck gets close I come into a BIG herd of moo cows over the road so "we" slow down to a crawl, this of course is a real nuisance to the truck so he attempts to over take both of us in the herd of cattle.

Am I exaggerating see photo




Is this guy:

* Mad
* on something
* tired
* stupid

He shouldn't be on the road.

[BruceS]

Russell first let me say I wasn't there and have no idea of speeds and other traffic etc etc.
When I was on the road it was very common for big mobs of cattle and sheep to be on dedicated stock routes in both NSW and Qld.
The incidence is more common in drought times of course.
I had cause to be involved in droving in the biggest drought for many many years in 1967 and am aware of the many rules and regulations.
A couple are that you MUST travel a required distance each day and you must be off the road before sundown.
In all the times I've encountered cattle in these big mobs I've never seen one animal being hit.
They become very aware of where they can go safely. A lot like you see dogs & cats in the cities or towns.
They become VERY traffic aware.
Most of the truckies you're talking about go up and down that road about 4 times a week........... some much more if they're doing changovers.
Like the cattle, they also become aware of the cattle's actions or lack of.
In your photo look at how comfortable some of those animals are eating right alongside that truck?
Unbelievable isn't it?
Sometimes there is a mob between Hay & West Wylong............. they are much more unpredictable.... You'll notice the trucks slowing right down for them!!
When I venture into the cities now days I have the same opinion as you of the car drivers!!!
To see some of those cars going down the Lofties in rain at such a speed as they do is suicide!!!

[T1 Terry]

I followed a tripple trailer cattle train from Nth Burke towards what ever the next town is heading towards Barcaldine. I thought I could catch up and slip stream him in the kombi and save a bit of fuel. Not a bloody hope, I wound the kombi up to 130km/h but he was still pulling away. We came into a small town, and then a road works, I managed to catch up, here's my chance I thinks, we stayed with him for around 50 km, then he just pulled away, again, not a hope, he was empty and had about 599hp more under the cab than I had
Even at that speed he knew where every dip, every corner that may cause an issue with one of the trailers... it was amazing to watch, he never once put a trailer wheel in the dirt, even when equal sized/length trucks were coming past the other way. Hats off to these highly skilled drivers, they do a tough job, a boring job, yet the number of accidents compared to cars and caravans is fractional.

[Kelvin12]

Local knowledge is a big factor and experience with mobs of cattle or sheep. I would rather travel through cattle and sheep than negotiate the hordes in Sydney any day.

Dirk

[T1 Terry]

Nothing more unpredictable than sheep and city drivers, they both do some of the most mind bogglingly stupid things sometimes

[Dot]

Difference is the so called clever species i.e. HUMANS are supposedly taught how to drive, sheep / cattle and all other animals are not, shows who really are the ones with the most brains. How many sheep prangs do you see And Terry that truck you were trying to catch, the driver was a moron for doing those speeds no matter where he was travelling if loaded or empty. IMHO

[shonky]

Hi, all

Russell(B) - please add "stressed" to your list of possibilities. F'rinstance he may have been delayed with a mechanical problem and urgently needed to make up time - many possible scenarios - but please consider that trucking is one of the most dangerous occupations in Australia.
FYI the three killers are
stress - many causes
fatigue - timetables can kill
mechanical problems - due to postponement of scheduled service because of cash flow difficulties.

Me - if I have a big rig behind me I make way as quickly as possible, hit the left blinkers, as he pulls out use the middle pedal to give him extra room, then flash him as soon as the last axle is alongside my cab. It's surprising how many drivers rock their blinkers in appreciation.

We're all owner-drivers...

[Dot]

No excuses for any bad or dangerous driving, none at all. Stressed get another job, there are plenty out there just that the general Australian is too dam picky and lazy to do them. EOR for now.

[norman]

No excuses for any bad or dangerous driving, none at all. Stressed get another job, there are plenty out there just that the general Australian is too dam picky and lazy to do them. EOR for now.

I agree Dot ... If the waters too hot get out,,,,,

[BruceS]

I won't start an argument!
Did you notice those overhead gantries with the cameras on them? They watch trucks, not cars or motorhomes.