Driver Attitude

[@tkx86]

It is unbelievable how many folks do not realise we want to keep momentum up. Classic example is Mt Ousley Road down Wollongong way. You have successive dippers and you climb and climb and want to get your speed up to 100kmhr to get up the next hill faster...But oh no lets overtake a semi trailer as he is beginning his descent from the crest real close then tap our brake lights and do 80kmhr in front of him.

[@djl876]

Because it’s not taught mate.

[@kenem1946]

Thanks, Rod. Great to watch another video from your eyes and thoughts. All the best for 2024 and beyond.

[@markdavies1157]

Hey Rod, Nice try with your theory. Unfortunately they have no idea. This is shown by the van driver sitting beside you and not being aware enough to get out of your road so that you can get around him. Also vehicles have Speedos so that you can monitor speed and keep it consistent. Bad driving happens too often. This is not a one off mistake that we all make occasionally.

[@Sandman253]

Safe travels for the year Rod.

[@blackflagqwerty]

You'd be surprised the number of people who don't know how to use cruise control.

[@ESPSJ]

I agree with everything you said, it's especially funny because you had two very good examples of what happens in your video. I hate when cars do that shit, it's so frustrating. It can also lead to some pretty dangerous situations. It's a one way ticket to being tailgated by a b double if they slow down after a truck has to merge back behind them.

[@stevej6813]

Speed doesn't cause crashes, stupidity causes crashes.

[@tufnel1970]

Hey Rod, I just Subscribed. This driving behavior happens to all of us. I only drive a car, but the amount of times I am driving behind a vehicle and when they slow down I overtake then they speed up. Or I get drivers fly up driving behind me at great speed, I pull over and they drive past me and then slow down. I use cruise control a lot so I know it's not me. I really enjoy your perspective driving a big rig. :) Regards

[@andrewsmith8729]

That is why I purchased a V8 manual sedan and spent another $20,000 in the performance shop. Another one is passing someone and they decide to come back straight away and pass you again... I think it either an ego thing, or rather than follow another vehicle where their forward vision is not as good, they want to be in front with a clear vision of the road. Regardless, it is amazing how a heap of horsepower and torque cures are lot of annoying driver behaviours.

[@nathanhallisey441]

Without trucks the garbage would pile up, the beer and wine would run out, the supermarket, green grocer would run out of food and much more. Happy new year Rod and stay safe on the road.

[@dougtilley5977]

"Truckies Carry This Country"

[@me8u73]

One thing that I have never seen anywhere is the mention of an increase of drivers on the road relative to the road death tolls. Does the increase of road users out way the increase in road death tolls??? Never mentioned!!!

[@aussie_xsf]

So many selfish and ignorant drivers who have no regard for trucks (or motorcycles)... good work showing what we put up with every single day

[@mjcj1971]

great to see you back again. Been a while.

[@matthewgruba8040]

I remember a drive down the Hume from Bright. I had cruise control set to 110, the legal limit. This guy in a car passed me, easily 10km/hr over, then merged back, and slowed to 100km/hr. I changed lanes to maintain my speed, passed easily a merged back 100m ahead of him. He then proceeded to pass me again, and another 20+ times. All that time, I never changed my speed. Just drive your speed, and don’t get arced up when other people pass you doing their speed.

[@justinpolhill2203]

Bit harder in a truck with 60t + worth of gear rolling.

[@matthewgruba8040]

@@justinpolhill2203 for sure, but that is no excuse for car drivers to speed up and slow down to cock block a truckie trying to get his job done and home safe to his kids.

[@johnewing9715]

Happy New Year Rod and I love your videos

[@jeffrey5718]

Been to 10 countries, Australia is probably the one and only developed country that has such a poor driver attitude. Which is a bit of a shocker really for a country like Australia.

[@tonymontana897]

Too many dickheads these days mate. I don't drive a truck, but I'm aware they are a heavy vehicle, hard to stop etc so I always give them a wider berth. We also need to be a little more patient. Some people are too arrogant and think they are more important than others and do dickhead things just like what's shown here.

[@Big-Show1]

USA is terrible as well

[@grahamcockerill2406]

Totally agree mate, I live in regional Northern Victoria if I see a rig coming up on a single highway I'll pull over let him go (IF SAFE TO DO SO) and I always get a double flash to say thanks. Some people just don't get it mate. Happy new year buddy. Aussie Graham.

[@johnmaaate2833]

I'd say it's also a lack of driver education. I passed my test and got my P-plates a couple of years ago and not once in my test did I have to drive on a freeway. Some people just have no idea they're doing anything wrong and will continue driving the same way for decades and decades.

[@mickyarred279]

Rod another great video, many thanks and Happy New Year to you and your family! As a caravanner (and yes I know you Truckies absolutely loathe us!! 😳😳), but we experience the exact same issues (well those of us who travel at the posted or max speed limit for towing do at least)! Car comes out of side street and dives out cos we got to get out in front of the caravan…and then proceeds to plod along at 60 in the 80 zone or 80 in the 100 zone! Same with overtaking lanes, toddle along doing 85 in a 100 zone totally oblivious to what’s happening around them, come to the overtaking lane (or the only long straight stretch where I could possibly overtake)….and bingo they can suddenly do 120km/hr!! I don’t know that we will ever see an increase in our current maximum speed of 110km/hr (excluding the NT), why, I don’t really understand - manufacturers are building cars that can go faster more safely, but for all those in power their only option seems to be installing more speed cameras or reducing the current limits!! 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@smaxwell4062]

European trucks ALL Strictly Speed limited to 90km/h. It works so well and no accidents or fatalities. You simply cannot argue with that. Rows of trucks all in the same lane all doing exactly the same speed. Even on the Autobahns. They simply can't go faster than 90km/h. No cars and trucks mixing and overtaking and cutting in and well behaved. Takes all the stress out of truck driving. Very economical as well.

[@whello2000]

Happy new year mate , hope to see more of you this year 👍🏻👍🏻

[@gene5364]

It’s even more frustrating when it’s another truck driver.

[@villainjohnnoel8075]

Hi from France ,yeah dunno,over here they slow-down/speed-up 'cause thre're on the phone.Just to put the record straight alot of truck-drivers are on the phone whilst driving as well.

[@vineshchand2287]

Hello how are you Are you work back same company before truck ?

[@Andre-yu3qs]

Thanks for sharing, have a good new year!

[@Roadrunnerz45]

thanks for another vid. was missing them. wonder if you have dropped by the upgraded service centre at picton. plenty of space. hopefully the bathrooms and showers last longer than most new builds.

[@paradiselost9946]

after a bit of a hiatus, im about to go back to courier work. during covid was great. 20-23, only bitching about the rain. but it was as if in march... a switch was thrown. and suddenly i was having near misses almost every ten minutes... at least in a truck you got some protection. not quite as enjoyable on a moto. i had to have a break for my mental health if anything... and come xmas... theres the "lets do 30 below the limit" and "lets do 30 over the limit" with no in-between...

[@johncunningham4820]

A good way to make that Van " Make a Decision " is to put your Blinker on to merge Left . Might break him out of his Phone-Scrolling trance . In Europe the Trucks are Limited to 85 km/h throughout I believe . Even on the Motorways/Autobahns/Autostrada . Forces a different attitude . A 130 speed limit ON INTERCITY MOTORWAYS only , would possibly work actually . People might FOCUS better . Just a " Perhaps " there . I spent 34 years doing what you're doing Rod . Retired now . Nice Ride Bru . K-108? or 109? . I just found you here . SUBBED .

[@thehairyleggedbikers.darre2510]

Great video Rod. What a great topic you have covered. Look what was beside you on your left when you turned onto the Hume Hwy, a fuel tanker😄 You mentioned the car drivers could pick up the new cars from the wharf. They will still need trucks. LOL As a motorbike rider, we too see the worst on the roads with car drivers. Stay safe out there on the roads.

[@chrislawler3562]

I know how you feel Rod I have been there done that.

[@roblachman8919]

Retired truck driver. I’m sure there was a sign on the rear of the my truck that said...YOU MUST GET IN FRONT AT ALL COST. Stay safe.

[@neildransfield5966]

I like that! The sign on the back of my large van read “you may think I’m slow but I’m still in front of you” 🤗

[@GGwpTvnz]

People just have no idea anymore it's fucked I'm over it for sure

[@wastedpotato4555]

Not a truckie myself but my oldman was, i watched these kind of things a lot even a car nearly going under because they decide to brake check a loaded truck full of phosphorus or phosphate (was a long time ago i dont fully remember the load)that wouldve been bad for everyone not just that driver.

[@andrewsmith8729]

02.56.... Exactly, that Van Driver is the perfect example of an idiot who doesn't realise he is preventing that truck from moving back into the left lanes to let traffic flow. How many times do people need to be told.... don't sit beside a semi trailer.. either get in front of the semi trailer or sit behind it. Much of this comes down to an inability for people to read and understand how different vehicles and drivers affect the traffic flow. My theory about people who change lanes when a truck is behind them, is they are scared the truck will go straight over the top of them in an emergency braking situation. The other thing I have noticed with people, if they are driving in the right-hand lane, and there a bushes planted close to that edge of the road, some will change lanes to the left lane because they are not comfortable driving in close proximity to something else.

[@dougtilley5977]

About spearing across lanes to take an exit , one way to stop that is do away with painted lines and put up a barrier of concrete, miss your exit ...stiff, go on and take the next .

[@Robert2021]

Why not make the right hand lane the truck lane. Then don’t have to worry about cars cutting across in front of them all the time. Then all cars keep left unless overtaking

[@butchphillips873]

This comment has a lot of merit. Trucks generaly are passing through an urban erea (long distance) cars are leaving or joining the main roads (suburb to suburb).

[@ivanmilja9441]

Happy new year Rod stay safe cheers 🍻

[@dannyhowell2027]

I agree driver attitude is a big thing

[@jonesywagga]

That road is the worst for that, it very rarely flows at speed, and look how rough it is in sections , bloody disgrace

[@daveamies5031]

Your theory is hilarious, but unfortunately not true, I have experienced the same thing when driving a Daihatsu Charade, I found the worst offenders drove Falcons and Commodores, I had a theory that these people have an allergy to being passed by a vehicle they perceive should be slower than them. I agree 100%, just drive at a consistent speed as much as possible. I never drove any truck over 3t (car licence) but I prefer driving my car around trucks than other cars because I find trucks more predictable (inertia probably helps trucks to be more predictable)

[@neildransfield5966]

Well son you have never driven a bos truck or towed a full size caravan. All too often as you cruise along the first indication of a vehicle overtaking you is the sudden suck as the vehicle pushes through the wind barrier. Same applies to motor cycles being overtaken on multi lane freeways. We are not talking about plain old fashioned dick head drivers. 🤗

[@AJ-Lawn]

Stay safe Rod. Happy new year

[@pauljh74]

I find the truckies are usually the ones who will keep a constant speed when given the opportunity. i.e. when they're not being cut off repeatedly. I bet the van driver was playing with the phone. Especially on freeways, I (in a car) will typically avoid sitting alongside a semi for extended periods. If there's high wind, trucks can be pushed around and secondly, if the traffic comes to a sudden stop in their lane and their instinct tells them to swerve because they're not going to stop, I don't want to be next to them when they do. If the semi comes up from behind and runs alongside me, they know I'm there and will have to deal with that. When I am on the freeway, it is full of car drivers who can't hold their speed across all lanes - and some of them drive at 80-90km/h on the freeway with nothing inhibiting them. If you don't feel comfortable driving a mechanically satisfactory 21st century passenger vehicle at 95-100km/h on the freeway in good conditions when possible, then perhaps a question should be asked of their competency. If trucks drive in the left lane or 2, it only compounds trucks getting cut off and makes it harder for cars entering and exiting the freeway. Which brings me to another point - cars entering the freeway. Anyone who speeds up to 70km/h half way down the onramp, levels off, creates chaos merging on at 70km/h and then speeds up to 90-100km/h - take their car and crush it, preferably with them inside. Exceptions exist for cars with very low power, large/heavy loads and trucks. Hell, I could get an '88 Hiace to 80km/h on an uphill onramp before joining the freeway. What I do look for is that they increase speed where possible. But take almost any 21st century car or SUV and you can get close to 100km/h before merging on without much effort. The people that want trucks restricted more - their heads are usually firmly up their own arse. They only know how to drive their late model car and don't consider how each type of vehicle needs to be driven differently. My car with good Michelin PS4 tyres - I corner at higher speeds for fun (with all 4 wheels in control). Drive the work ute or 3t truck and I have to consider the shitty Chinese brand commercial tyres they put on them, the increased braking distance because the 2007 base model Ford Ranger ute doesn't have ABS and the truck is heavier. Then I have to consider the load, which is powder-coated metalwork. The people who want you out of their way, don't realise that trucks have more reason to be on the roads because they're doing something more useful than picking up a fancy coffee.

[@kadmow]

They don't get it, they merely don't think, don't realise their poor lane keeping and speed discipline is an issue. - Maybe all commercial van drivers should have to get at least an MR license - to understand what truck drivers go through.

[@kinchegayowie6167]

Question, is your rig fitted with a speed limiter?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Yes

[@kinchegayowie6167]

Was just watching it go over is all, just wondered how it worked and what they are set at, not being pedantic, just an observation @@australiantruckerrod1070

[@colinl9018]

Driver attitude and driver training, both need to pick up the game. So many people doing everything except 'driving' when they get behind the wheel. I drive trucks and tow a caravan and have a uhf in my 4x4 but there are so many dickheads out there.Stay safe mate.

[@alexdebruin7454]

can't fix stupid, 99% of drivers have absolutely no situational awareness

[@alexthompson5275]

Its M80 western ring road not metropolitan ring road

[@garyablett5180]

Rod, there is a problem with your theory. If you were driving behind VanBoy on a single lane and he was too slow, then when you get to a passing lane he will then speed up then go back in front of you when that lane merges and he slowly gets back to "his" speed. I believe it's his way to demonstrate that he is not slow because to pass him you have to speed !!!

[@tonyitalia5993]

Hi rod are you driving the new K200?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

K220 , have a DAF tonight, Kenworth in for a/c repair, shortage of mechanics due to holidays, may be 2/3 days.

[@tonyitalia5993]

Was refuting to the video u posted

[@simonjohn1176]

Wish I had a dollar for every time the same thing happened to me. It’s just that attitude of I can’t let a truck overtake me and they pace you and stop you from overtaking them.. it’s just a bad attitude is all that is ..

[@andrewsmith8729]

See this guy at 09.14... he is in that centre lane.... it allows vehicles to move left and exit.....it gives him options in an emergency.... and it allows people to get around him using the right lane.... he is also in a good position for if he needs to change lanes to turn right..... and he has hit the nail on the head... do not fill up the braking gap in front of his truck. 13.00 Raising the speed limit to 130 is the same as in Europe. It is a valid point that people would then do 140 or 150 etc. Maybe, only raise the limit to 120 and see how that works out for a year to two. Thoroughly agree with the idea about lane hoppers being more dangerous than someone speeding and staying in a single lane... drive smoothly..... don't weave through the traffic.... That said, on multilane roads with a bit of traffic, I find the real nuisance is the ute driver who cuts into another lane because he thinks it is moving better, Then 200 metres farther on.... at a crawl..... cuts back into the original lane. These people don't realise in stacked up traffic they are only gaining a car length or two while annoying everyone else.

[@daveamies5031]

That clown at the end, slow, fast, slow, fast, brake, even for car drivers they are so annoying, and that car probably has cruise control, so all he need to do is turn it on and drive consistently at a speed he's happy to go at and let everyone else do what they want. Some really great examples of dangerous driving in this video 👍

[@bobjenkins9208]

Where you been Rod? not driving anymore?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

@@bobjenkins9208 Hi Bob, Still driving, at Tarcutta sending you this, will be doing more videos soon, have a great day.

[@bobjenkins9208]

@@australiantruckerrod1070 looking forward to it! Thanks for the update, stay safe.

[@brendoncrofts6714]

Thats all us car drivers want to is for you to have your own lane you were doing all the overtaking and approaching do you realise how uncomfortable it is to have a truck up your ass or even behind you knowing that if traffic suddenly stops car can avoid .truck driver just says sorry for all the carnage.

[@Ausmerica]

It's bad drivers attitudes and ignorance that is the biggest problem. I start driving trucks on Interstate on and off for almost 37 Years. Peoples driving attitudes is getting worse year by year. There are laws in place already that can be thrown at these drivers that don't let other vehicle pass or overtake but it hardly ever gets enforced. We now have cutting in laws, to stop vehicles pulling in front of other vehicles braking space, especially cutting in short on a heavy vehicle. Again it isn't enforced. If they start enforcing these rules and laws things might change. Raising speed to 130 is a foolish idea. Our roads are not good enough. Just look at this video on the Ring Rd in your cab how the cab bounces, especially on bridges. You don't get that on European highways and American hwys that have high posted speed limits. The other problem is as you say, post 120 people will do 140 150, and with the attitude these drivers have, the road toll would be much higher. People need to spend at least a week in our shoes to fully understand the reality of how difficult it can be when drivers play games, "Can't let that truck get in front" or "I have to beat that truck".

[@scottraven1721]

Euro max speed for heavy vehicles is 80kph. That's why they're relegated to left hand lane !

[@willeton]

And in some states in USA its 70mph or 120kmh. 80kmh is way to slow and a very inefficient way of transporting goods, with fuel and time.

[@jonathanrabbitt]

The biggest problem is that at our highest permitted speed, we're forced to drive right up against the speed limiter. That is pig-headed bureaucracy for you. Yes; it matches the letter of the law, but it takes no account of; and makes now allowance for speedo error; terrain undulations and the vagaries of other traffic.

[@jonathanrabbitt]

I have to add to this: Most car drivers have no clue about what it's like driving a speed limited vehicle.

[@shane1899]

I love the do gooders as well " oh ya not gonna get there any faster" nothing to do with getting somewhere faster, i don't wanna sit there for fuck knows how long (until they turn off) anticipating old mate speeding up and slowing down. Also, i couldn't think of a worse place to sit on the road than next to truck with multiple trailers. Think of a truck like a gunman you'd leave him alone and get the fuck out of his way. Also, bump a truck upto 110kph but limit to 100kph and have that 10kph to get around those ignorant assholes who are 0.1 of a kph slower and refuse to button off and let you go round them

[@ProNoober8]

People forced to control the speed of their vehicles using nothing but their feet are at a disadvantage, and explains why those vehicles cannot maintain a constant speed. My diesel i30 has a radar-based smart cruise control (SCC) with full stop and go. Setting this to the longest possible following distance of 2.1 seconds (vs government reccommended 2.0 seconds) shows me that nobody manually drives with a 2 second following distance. A 2.0 second following distance is enough space for two b-doubles to fit into that space at highway speeds. I bet if Rod's truck had this system he could also set it at 2.1 seconds, find a truck heading in the same direction, and follow it effortlessly. Yes, other vehicles will eagerly jump into and enjoy this pleasant available space on the highway, but the SCC automatically and gradually (without slowing down) re-creates that space as it restores the 2.1 second following distance. That vehicle will soon get tired of having a truck in front of it, so those vehicles usually leave very soon, so aren't a problem.

[@Madnezz001]

The road toll. Our population is growing extremely fast so the road toll is relative compared to our higher population. They just try to make up a reason to enforce new rules and increased fines to rais revenue

[@roostersbays95]

he could also be drafting

[@petergordon8670]

Yes

[@ursodermatt8809]

why is this truck driver driving in the far right line when he needs to exit a few kilometers down the road? not that much better than the average hoon or bogan is doing.

[@SBANDOOOO566]

my problem is van bloke is sitting in your blind spot preventing you from merging now you’re holding up the right lane.. maybe not in this video but this happens all the time.. of course it starts with van bloke, but now you’re adding to the problem, yous are now clogging 2 lanes together making all of us suffer.. At the end of the day it’s keep left unless overtaking, if you’re not overtaking or don’t have the speed to overtake then fall back in line and eat it on the chin.. no one forced you to be a truck driver, plenty jobs out there where ya can work 12 hours a day and don’t get to sit on your ass.. I’m trying to get to work/home, I bust my ass to make a living what makes you think I want to sit behind two blokes having a pissing contest over who’s right and who’s wrong.. just get over so I can leave the both of yas in my rear view mirror 💀 cities, traffic and the people in them are all putrid. only thing that exists to city folk is them selves 🤣

[@chriscorrigan7420]

G'day mate. The day of the courteous driver in this country has gone. Years ago people would slow down and let you move in to a position between cars without all the horn blowing and abuse but now it appears to be , Who can create the biggest show or who's the worst driver. Alot of people { migrants } couldn't drive a greasy stick up a dogs arse and cause more prangs than ever before. But I agree about the abuse that you blokes have to put up with from what my mates who drive trucks tell us about. Good on ya for putting this together, hopefully quite a number of people see it and maybe they might realise what arse holes they are not you.

[@dimension112]

You post a video about driver attitude but you're tailtgating a car throughout much the video, travelling on the right lane etc? If you don't respect other vehicles on the road you don't deserve respect.

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

I did not post this video as I'm looking for respect on the road from other drivers. It was to show other drivers that if they would like to drive at a lower speed than the posted limit that is ok to do, that they don't increase their speed until any vehicle overtaking in the right- lane has passed and changed back in the next lane. As you may have experienced, slowing to move back in the next lane other drives will change lanes and overtake on the left. You are right, I should not be in the right-hand lane and I don't like to be. I personally like to maintain a higher speed to not hold up other drivers and not slow as much when going up any rise in the road due to weight. Tailgating due to slowing traffic or changing lanes is unfortunate at times, but I don't believe it was not for a long period as the vehicles moved away. Should all trucks be in the left-hand lane and have a speed limit of 80 kph or will this cause issues when vehicles are entering or leaving a multi-lane road or complaints trucks are holding up other vehicles? Does this actually work well in some European countries?

[@jenfishburn7172]

Fuck truck driving you should be in a lab with all those facts you said at the start

[@jacinto1124]

🙌 Promo*SM