Is it okee to be afraid of semis???....?

Question

I am deathly scared od semis!!! they scar the living crap out of me!??? What do i do to get rid of this?

Answer 1

Your fear is from the sheer size, and media attention. I drive a semi, and even I am impressed by their shear size, when in my car. Most of the drivers behind the wheel of these large vehicles are paying attention to whats going on around them. So they will know your there. The one thing you need to know is this, :Do not hang out beside them, in front of them, behind them. Give them plenty of room. But do not fear them. Special organizations would like you to fear them, for their own agenda's, but don't fall into their traps. None of them have been behind the wheel of one, and they feed on your insecurities.

Answer 2

probably nothing. but you can at least understand the dangers . when a large truck travels down the road it is cutting in to the wind so about 3 to 8 feet from the front there is a pretty powerful wind on either side that can push not just a small car but an even bigger trunk. also remember that it is a machine operated by a person and no one is perfect. when I'm traveling at 70 mph and you have your cruise at 71 mph you will travel next to me for more that 4 mins. and that I'm 102" wide taking up more than 90% of my lane of travel a swift gust of wind can push me left or right by more than 12" at any time. I'm not going to tell you that I'm the better driver because i drive 100000 miles a year. because we all can be caught off guard at anytime.so my point is you should always be aware that when you travel next to, by a truck that you have no control of that truck and that it is like when you get out of the shower on a wet floor. when it's your time it's your time.

Answer 3

I am a truckers wife.Been on the road with him and most close calls he had was with a car where the driver has feared big trucks.People who fear big trucks tend to stare at the truck,so afraid that the truck will hit them and thats where the problem begins.There is no way someone can stare in their mirrors to watch every move the truck makes to make sure they do not get hit,thats when the car starts to cross the lines and the driver of the car has no idea alot of times until it`s too late.Also someone who fears a big truck has to race around the truck,too often as they race around the truck they cut infront of the truck and then have to slam their brakes on because traffic infront of them is going slower or coming to a stop and believe me the saying a truck cant stop on a dime is so true.Those who fears big trucks generaly put theirselfs and others in danger.There is nothing to fear.Just repect the truck and driver and you should be ok.

Answer 4

It's definitely not OK. Fear is a major cause of allot of accidents. Fear causes over corrections which turns into rollovers. Fear causes slamming on brakes on ice or snow which makes you lose control of the vehicle all together. I read an answer above telling you to close your eyes, WTF. don't ever ever ever close your eyes. accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Anyway best thing to do is just relax. If you see a Semi coming up behind you, don't tense up. Stay relaxed Tensing will only cause you to be a danger to you and the truck driver. While a truck is passing you, just relax, look straight ahead, concentrate on where you are in relation to your own lane, slow down safely and let the truck get ahead of you - don't slam on your brakes only take your foot off the gas peddle. if there is someone behind you just tap your brakes to flash your brake lights at them and take your foot off the gas peddle. The most important thing is to stay calm. The more you teach yourself to remain calm the less and less your going to be afraid of A Semi.

Answer 5

No reason to be afraid....they are professional drivers. However, keep in mind that these things don't stop on a dime, so don't cut in front of them and stop. As well, at highway speeds, these babies displace a lot of air. If you get close to them, especially with a smaller car, the vacuum created could make your car sway, so make sure that you hang on to that steering wheel. If you maintain control of your vehicle, there is no reason to be scared.

Answer 6

I assume you mean semitrucks? I am terrified of them, too, but I have good reason (which I will not go into). You just need to learn to be comfortable around them and be ultra-focused when driving around them. Do NOT speed too much to get around them (unless it's necessary for some reason), and do not focus on the semis too much because that will distract you from other traffic. The more you are around them, the easier it will become.

Answer 7

I actually feel safer next to or behind them. Weather in my Dodge truck, or my Civic. Just leave them the room they need, and everything "should" be fine. You don't get a class A license by driving poorly.

Answer 8

Absolutely! Never stay close to one. When they lose a tire tread it could break your windshield. Do not follow behind flat beds. They sometimes forget to tie things down or items come loose.

Answer 9

Do what webwriter says, and then remember one more thing. This is VERY IMPORTANT if you can't see the truck driver's mirrors HE CAN'T SEE YOU. Remember this when you are passing or getting passed or are going to turn in traffic.

Answer 10

Yeah, it's normal. I'm afraid to pass them or have them pass me. I feel like they will hit my mirror or something. But no matter how scared you get, stick to your side of the road and you'll be ok!