The truck decision

In keeping with my promise to do some on topic threads. Today I had the thing
I call the truck decision on the ride to work. I was in the left lane doing
slightly (3kph) over the limit and in the right lane was a b double doing
slightly under the limit. My decision was to keep my speed and slowly overtake
him on the left or slow down, gun it past him or slow right down and stay
behind. I hate pulling past big trucks because the fuckers invariably start to
pull over on you and you have 30 metres to get past them or slam on the brakes.
So my decision was to drop a gear, gun it past then drop back to my original
speed. It meant for less time in that danger zone next to him. It was a 70
zone and I probably touched 100kph making me a baby killer. What would you of
done?

 

If I didn't have much spare time left during my trip to work I'd have
done what you did, if I was running early and had spare time I'd
probably have hung back.


G-S

 

I recall about 15 years ago my mum was telling me a story that a truck
had moved over on her pretty much around the place that Cat died on
the Southern Outlet in Launceston. I quizzed her about it. She said
that she had my nephew in the car. He would have only been 4-5 years
old.

So instead of steadily overtaking the semi, she steadily sat in his
blind spot and was saying "Look Justin - a big truck".

I gave her a damn good dressing down for being such an idiot. They
both could have died.

 

And she said to Justin
" Look Justin, a big truck
he's moving over, Holy ****"

 

<Pedant Hat on>
I would *of* paid more attention in school.
That's what I would *have* done!
<off>

 

Yeah I hold back through any curves (do you have them in WA?) but then
get by as quick as is practical on the straight; bike or car.
I do *not* like being alongside any vehicles but especially big vehicles.

 

Could *of* died, Kev. Duuh!

 

Doesn't it depend a bit on what you're riding? And the speed limit?
VFR800 in a 70km/h zone is one thing; Super Sherpa in a 110km/h zone is
quite another.

 

True it does, my response on the scooter (despite it's ability to cruise
ok in 100kph zones at the speed limit) would have been quite different
to what it'd be on the 1100 or even the 650.

G-S

 

Deafinertly a know know

 

Well, first I would have been wondering why the truck was in the right lane.
Usually this means they've moved over to make a right turn or have seen an
obstruction further ahead in the left lane. In general I've found truck
drivers to be pretty good in that respect (though there are a few cowboys
around here at harvest time). If I had clear visibility I probably would
have gunned it to pass him but had there been any doubt I would have hung
back.

 

Risk minimisation! The longer you stay next to the truck the greater the
exposure time to that risk. The quicker you get past him the less likely you
two will ever be close again, slowing down would mean you'd probably be in
the same position a few K's down the road (at the first uphill incline).

Someone may argue that speeding up increases the risk, but if you could
quantitatively measure accumulated risk for this situation getting past the
truck is poses the least risk overall.

 

Oooooh! Hitherto unrevealed secret passion. [Smirk]

 

I reckon that rule applies to all traffic. But yes, especially trucks.

I don't want any big bits of steel near me when riding. Whether that
means I speed up or slow down to get my soft vulnerable body away from
them I don't care. I don't want the big hurty things near me when
riding.

Yes, it is unavoidable at times. But I try to minimise it as much as I
can.

 

I'm a wet blanket.

I think you may have done the right thing, depending on the road and
the time of day. Part of me says you broke a rule but the reason why
we have judges is because the rules aren't perfect and, as you thought
there was a danger you could justify going faster to escape it. OTOH,
part of me says that you also had the option of slowing down, which is
legal. but this might have been just as much of a hazard if there
were other vehicles bearing down on you. Safest is not always
slower... only 99.97% of the time.

I'm not necessarily talking about defending a ticket but what would
you would have to say to the loss assessor if you did have an accident.

 

Fraser, I'm assuming you were traveling on a rural freeway. Was the
shoulder sealed? In other words did you have the option of going left
if the truck started to come over?

 

Curves???????????? About the only thing I miss about Melbourne is being so
close to the Black Spur, Reefton Spur and the Great Ocean Road.

Fraser

 

That's the way I see it. You reduce the window of risk. Truck was not
changing back to the left lane any time soon and the road ahead was dead clear
and good visibility for at least 500 metres.

Fraser

 

Fraser, I'm assuming you were traveling on a rural freeway. Was the
shoulder sealed? In other words did you have the option of going left
if the truck started to come over?


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No it was Leach highway. 2 lane 70 zone in a commercial zone. No side
streets. There was enough gap so if the truck had moved as I started
accelerating I would of still easily made it even if he didn't see me.

Fraser

 

You're not missing much!

Most of the roads you've mentioned are now posted 80kph limits and so
heavily policed it's not worth riding along them.

The police have taken to pulling over motorcyclists sticking to the
speed limit now, probably because they're down on speeding fines now
that they've driven away most of the sports bikes and they're getting
desperate for ticket quota.

Starting to hear increasing numbers of tales of people being booked for
tail tidies, mufflers, blinkers and other common and harmless modifications.


G-S


G-S