DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Topic: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!! (Read 1918 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #25 – January 04, 2011, 03:02:18 pm

Quote from: dub – January 04, 2011, 11:32:18 am

After 3 million miles on the road in KW's and Peterbilts you get a knack for feeling where you are without looking, second nature if you will, howeva I stopped traveling 6 years ago after a clown in a stolen pick up hit me head on while driving my show truck on a bright and clear afternoon at 2:31 pm. It wasn't pretty and I haven't been the same driver since. I had driven over 3 million miles with no accidents. At 61 I feel I can still drive circles around most but there is something there I just cant shake....

Know exactly how you feel. Had 30 years and who knows how many million miles when mine happened. Had a "old timer" (I should be more careful using that term) turn hard left right in front of me while I was starting passing him on a interstate. Ended up pushing his car sideways down the road at 65 mph. Could not see it, but knew it was down there in front somewhere! The doctors and state police said he had a mini stroke right before it happened and that it was not my fault. He did not make it out of the hospital and that worked on me. Was never the same after that. It never goes away! At least he had no family left that anyone knew of. But today I am much more conscious of the fact that one can come out of nowhere. That the day will come where there is no way out. That there is no such thing as a "safe place" in the lanes of traffic. I had to continue to work for another three years and was more that happy to leave when I was told I could retire. I still love driving, but now I am always looking for someone to come out of nowhere!

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #26 – January 04, 2011, 03:38:11 pm

Driving at night does have risks. More people drink and drive after the sun goes down, but the biggest worry is a nighttime breakdown. Just hate to have to get out at night and do anything if on a freeway or anywhere I can't drive to a protected spot. You are usually tired after a day of driving and tired driving into the night can lack judgement. Having said that, I do drive a lot at night but always try to be aware. I have had a couple of flats, lost hydraulic belts, compartment doors come open but has usually been in daylight.

As far a locating your vehicle in your lane, I always taught the new guys to watch the driver's side rear tire in the mirror frequently and keep it several inches from the stripe. This works on the freeway or in heavy traffic in the city, day or night (helps to have the reflection of following headlights at night). I scan to make sure no one ahead is turning into my lane from the right while checking the left mirror every few seconds in heavy traffic. This technique works well while driving in a construction zone with concrete barriers on both sides forming a lane that seems half as wide as it needs to be especially with really rough road and the coach rocking back and forth. I just put the left rear wheel several inches from the concrete barrier and don't even look on the right side. Also good for crossing the Mississippi on a very narrow bridges built in the 1920's. Knowing where your vehicle is at all time without guess work makes for a more relaxing and less tiring drive.

Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #27 – January 07, 2011, 06:07:28 pm

While I have not driven a truck, I have about a million miles done so far, maybe more. I know they can come out of nowheres in a second. I spent a lot of time cleaning accidents up too as a cop in my younger years. It does make you stop and think. The east Coast and 95 and even 81 now is hurry and get in front of the motorhome. I just try to keep my following distance and drive defensively and try to drive in the daylight if I can. I have and will drive in darkness but I try to do that in the early morning hours. Less chance of a drunk and the people out driving are going to work and hopefully they are awake. It is simple to stay in your lane after a while it is second nature. It just takes time and knowing where your wheels are. You can look back in the mirror or look in your camera at the tow car and see if it is centered or just look out the road further too. You should also have a spot on the front window that you can use to gauge looking to the side where your edge is. All of those methods seem to be required to drive the coach and to know where the edge is.

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #28 – January 13, 2011, 06:24:02 pm

Are the 9004 kits single or dual filament bulbs?
Regards,

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #29 – January 13, 2011, 06:45:03 pm

Single. Trust me, you have no need of hi beams once you have HID...

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Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #25 – January 04, 2011, 03:02:18 pm

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #26 – January 04, 2011, 03:38:11 pm

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #27 – January 07, 2011, 06:07:28 pm

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #28 – January 13, 2011, 06:24:02 pm

Re: DRIVING AT NIGHT. YIKES!!!

Reply #29 – January 13, 2011, 06:45:03 pm

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