Worst Places To Drive A Big Rig Truck

July 16, 2007 in Truck Driver Opinions

There are a quite a few great trucking forums that give a really good insight into what truckers think of just about any subject.  I was spending some time reading through a few of the topics this evening and came across an interesting thread on the worst places for an 18 wheeler to drive. There were quite a few places that were on the list of worst places to drive but 4 areas really stood out.

Leading the list was New York, NY for dealing with overly agressive automobile drivers. Another problem in the NYC area from the drivers point of view seems to be the old layout of some of the streets. NYC is an old city and when most of the streets were built big rig trucks did not exist. Drivers say it is very easy to wind up on a one way narrow road in a residential area without and eay way out.

Coming in second was Atlanta. It seems that even though Atlanta with it’s major highway system and extensive road system, there is a severe problem with traffic congestion that not only slows down truckers but creates problems once again with overly aggresive four wheelers.

Third place goes to Pittsburg PA not for bad car drivers but more or less the same problem that most older northeastern cities have; old narrow roads, low iron bridges that over the years have dropped and give very narrow clearance as well as traffic congestion. It was mentioned by one trucker that Pittsburgh had what he considered the car drivers with the best manners.  Good for you Pittsburgh!!

Finally the beltway around D.C.  Most drivers will try to avoid the beltway at all costs. This roller coaster ride has lanes that are way to narrow and no one seems to know what speed limit means. Truckers say that driving the beltway is like being in Death Race 2000 or at a minimum an extra long NASCAR track.

All in all the biggest complaint that drivers had in these cities and other places around the country is overwhelmingly that of car drivers who have no patience and play a dangerous game of in and out with 18 wheelers. Playing cat an mouse with a 60,000 ton truck moving at 70 mph is insane and those who play that game are asking for serious trouble. One doesn’t stop 600 horses on a dime.

So there you have it………… the four places most driver want to avoid. If you are in one of these cities and you are in a car, please consider what it is to be driving a big rig truck and show a little patience as well as a little common sense. You will find the professional truck driver will be very appreciative of your safety awareness and won’t mind letting you around as long as it is done safely.