A Message To The Trucker on I-20 Who Almost Crushed My Car

The Lone Star State is known for its southern charm, delicious barbeque, and long stretches of highways. When you're on the open road, it's no surprise that trucks – particularly 18-wheelers – are everywhere you look.

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While I know these big rigs play an essential role in transporting goods from coast to coast, something recently happened to me that raises questions about their safety on the road.

For many Texas drivers, the sheer size of 18-wheelers can be intimidating, and with good reason. I recently had a close encounter with one such truck on I-20 headed toward Fort Worth. There I was with the cruise control set on 75mph when I approached a truck that could not seem to stay in its lane. As I approached, it continued to drift in my lane coming within inches of crushing the side of my vehicle. In fact, I'm not so sure my side view mirror didn't get clipped. You can't blame it on the wind as it was a calm day.

When it comes to driving a semi-truck, it seems to me there's one job more important than any other - staying in your lane. It's literally the job. This isn't just a one-off incident either. Numerous drivers I know have had near misses with trucks crossing into their lanes.

Now, I'm not saying all truck drivers are careless or unskilled. Many truckers are trained and committed to the safety of everyone on the road. However, just a few drivers who ignore safety can pose a huge risk to others on the road.

Since there's such an issue with keeping their trailers in their lanes, it begs the question: is it time for a refresher driving course? After all, steering an 18-wheeler is no small feat. Perhaps it's time we make sure all drivers are updated on best practices. Every incident on the highway costs time and money, and worst of all, can lead to severe injuries or death.

The highways in Texas are a shared space. Everyone, regardless of the vehicle they're driving, has a responsibility to make sure they're driving safely and responsibly.