18 wheelers dont have 18 brakes

@keasling (723)
United States
July 18, 2008 4:40pm CST
OMG!!!!! ok I am a truckers wife. My husband drives mostly 48 states but drives in Texas for the time being on what is called a dedicated account. For those who may not understand 18 wheelers only have 5 sets of brakes. A car has two sets and wieghs 4000 pounds give or take. An 18 wheeler wieghs 80 thousand pounds fully loaded and has 5 sets. This is why you hear the expression "Can't stop on a dime". When you add in wet slick roads they have a hard time stopping if someone cuts in front and slams on there brakes. I have seen so many different people just drive stupid around truck drivers and then want to blame the driver if something goes wrong. I am not saying tehre isn't any bad truck drivers but for every one bad one there is a thousand good ones. Please be careful around these big rigs. Some tips. If you want to pass an 18 wheeler, check your side mirror if you can see BOTH headlights then it is safe. If you use your turn signal then 95 % of the drivers will flash your headlights to let you know you are safe to come over. If you see an 18 wheeler coming onto the freeway and you know that lane comes into another please slow down and let them over. It is easier for you to slow down then for them to speed up. A little courtsy goes a long way. just a few I normally would post so much more but i just wanted to get a few driving tips out there. Be safe everyone. :)
2 responses
• United States
18 Jul 08
One wife to another (((thank you))). The foolishness that has to be dealt with on the road day in and day out is insane and they just don't get it. But if they get run over for doing something really stupid you know who is going to be found wrong.
• United States
18 Jul 08
those are issues that car drivers don't usually consider. thank you for bringing it to our attention.