What is some of your Pet Peeve's

[JasperFrank]

A non-commercial driver's license is just too easy to get these days in the USA.
In Germany and Britain, it is akin to getting a pilot's license, and people routinely have to retake the examine to pass: which is expensive.
Since deregulation of the trucking industry, Which Carter did -Motor Carrier Act of 1980 : I've, witnessed, and some how survived, but seen drivers that had no business driving a 50 foot tractor-trailer. Big RVs need a Class C. Or something equivalent to that. Truck drivers need to be held to Class A. Even if they are coming up from Mexico or down from Canada. I've seen so any trucks just shed tires, and not give a damn, if there isn't an inspection/weight station on their route. No one likes government over cite. At least most don't on this site. But, I think this was a failure. I don't trust following any Semi any more. And I've loaded many a trailer with gaylords and a forklift. And no one cared at all about possible shifting loads or internal straps.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

So the rules/laws/training we require for US drivers do not apply to those coming over from Mexico or Canada. Had several discussion about this when I was still working and had to interact with drivers coming out of Canada. So many of them couldn't read or speak English - no idea how they managed to navigate without being able to read road signs!

When I went to the DMV to get a handbook for a commercial license in California they had stacks of them in about a dozen languages. Except in English.

Two weeks later, when they finally got some in, what do I read on the very first page? "Must be able to read and speak English".

Uh huh. Apparently not anymore.

 

[Eagle1]

When I went to the DMV to get a handbook for a commercial license in California they had stacks of them in about a dozen languages. Except in English.

Two weeks later, when they finally got some in, what do I read on the very first page? "Must be able to read and speak English".

Uh huh. Apparently not anymore.

That there is funny I don't care who you are...

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Or sad, depending on how you look at it.

 

[masseyrider]

Local news story. Collecting for a local foodbank.
I will say I realize that there are some people in dire need.
Not the 2 women they talked to.
Both on welfare, getting child benefits crying that if it weren't for the foodbank they'd be starving.
To call them large is to grossly underestimate their size. They were both in shorts with fat hanging over their knees and elbows.
Their kids well on their way to the same thing.
One of the daughters on the way to making one of the behemoths a granny.
More piercings than I could count quickly and tats almost everywhere you could see.
They can afford all that ink and metal they can afford to buy their own food.
Maybe the city can buy them a Super Duty to haul them around and pick up all the food they need for their herd?

 

[drssg]

I think the problem is that in recent years the hiring practices for trucking has been laxed and I see the results of it daily. Not so profesional anymore. I drove truck in the military, drove all over the US other countries so I have a bit of experience to back up my opinion that they are some of the worst drivers on the road today, at least around here.

On a related note, at least some of the companies are struggling to get and keep drivers. I have an old acquaintance that was a long distance truck driver for a while. He got fired for going on an alcoholic bender, and he was living in the sleeper cab of the company truck.

Several months later, they tried to hire him back!

 

[Jstpssng]

He got fired for going on an alcoholic bender, and he was living in the sleeper cab of the company truck.

Was he driving while he was drunk?

 

[WinterDeere]

I could be mistaken, but believe that part of the problem with truckers is caused by Amazon et.al. and their offering such quick deliveries. That, coupled with the recent increase in online shopping helps put the squeeze on them. Add e-logs to that and there is no practical way to make up time lost in construction zones or other delays.
Plus the above caused the increase in demand for truckers, leading to more green drivers.

I suspect Amazon is not helping, but I was hearing this before they became the dominant player they are today.

 

[drssg]

Was he driving while he was drunk?

I don't know. On his bender, I got the impression that he had given up on doing his job, in favor of drinking. I don't know if he previously tried to do his job while drinking.

 

[Oaktree]

Was he driving while he was drunk?

Before he retired, my BIL drove for Walmart. Dunno how it is today, but at the time they had zero tolerance for anything that might reflect badly on their driving ability. Random blood/pee checks...even if you were drinking on a day off and there was a trace remaining at work you were gone. Likewise any moving violation, even with personal vehicle.