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zipitio
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 3-25-2007
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Dangerous Truck Driver
This guy nearly ruined our vacation 
Be careful out there!
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio]
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio]
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Last time between GN and Vizcaino, a semi started to drift into my lane as I was passing him. Got on the horn and he drifted back. I drive with
lights on, hanging back in the passing lane hoping he sees me before passing.
If I'm ever hit by a semi drifting into my lane, I plan to hold my ground and not be run off the road. I doubt a semi would stop to help if I go
flying off the road. Maybe not.
I assume Murphy's Law is in effect always. And these guys are asleep at the wheel, or stoned, or have been drinking. While some might be
professional, I've seen too many semi accidents to think everyone is on the ball.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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surfhat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 545
Registered: 6-4-2012
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I have found using turn signals in order to communicate with approaching trucks or coming up behind them is appreciated by truck drivers. It can also
let them know to stay in their own lanes and give you what room they can, which is not much considering the width of the lanes. Every little bit
helps with such a narrow roadway.
Especially helpful when a truck is approaching to know they see you and respond with their turn signals in like fashion.
Heck, just confirming they see you coming helps. We all still need to aim for the edge of the paved roadway when passing or being passed.
It has worked for me. Get over as far as possible and move gently back off the edge when the road is clear.
And obviously, don't drive at night! I used to decades ago and did appreciate the fewer cars on the road. As for the black cows, not much has changed
with them though. I am done with driving at night. I have lived long enough to know better.
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Is the truck coming at you or are you behind it? If the truck is coming at you, then a ruined vacation is an understatement!!!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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A flashing left turn signal from the truck in front of you not only tells you he thinks it's safe to pass, it also means he's ready
for you to do it. Of course, I pull into the passing lane and decide for myself whether or not it's safe.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Another 'Baja hwy etiquette' rule I learned is, if you're following closely to a semi you are signaling to the driver you want to pass... and if you
don't you should slow down a tad and back off a ways. That signals you're content to follow, which I used to do quite a bit when towing my house.
Truckers know the road better than anyone, and know when to slow down and when to put the hammer down. Also, keeping a safe distance allows someone
to pass you and pull in without having to pass both you and the Big Truck all at once.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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The "it's OK to pass" left turn signal is a dangerous practice. A single signal that has multiple meanings is, well, a dumb idea.
A few years ago a guy in a small car was turning left off the highway south of Mulege. He had his signal on. There was a bus coming up behind him and
just as he started the turn the bus pulled out to pass. BAM! T-boned in the driver's side by a highway speed bus, he's dead.
I use hand signals frequently when slowing down and/or turning off the highway and there is a vehicle behind me.
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Mulege Canuck
Nomad
Posts: 387
Registered: 11-27-2016
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I make that same left turn after the bridge south of Mulege and have had some close calls. Hand signals and indicating are the best bet.
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BajaBill74
Nomad
Posts: 255
Registered: 1-27-2014
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Mood: Beyond Extatic!
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If making a left turn and there is no oncoming traffic, cross over the center line while slowing down so they can't pass. If there is oncoming
traffic they can't pass you.
What I'm doing at work is so secret, even I don't know what I'm doing!
One should believe in God, because even Google doesn't know everything.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaBill74  | | If making a left turn and there is no oncoming traffic, cross over the center line while slowing down so they can't pass. If there is oncoming
traffic they can't pass you. |
Yes, I've gotten used to doing that. Sort of unnatural for US-trained drivers.
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zipitio
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 3-25-2007
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Truck was driving towards us. It all, of course, happened so quickly.
I first flashed my headlights and then blew the horn repeatedly. All with no results. Luckily, there was enough dirt on the side of the road to ride
it out and avoid being hit. Mirrors, truck camper hit the brushes on the side of road. Here is video:
https://youtu.be/PESgeh7GP5M
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio]
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio]
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | The "it's OK to pass" left turn signal is a dangerous practice. A single signal that has multiple meanings is, well, a dumb idea.
A few years ago a guy in a small car was turning left off the highway south of Mulege. He had his signal on. There was a bus coming up behind him and
just as he started the turn the bus pulled out to pass. BAM! T-boned in the driver's side by a highway speed bus, he's dead.
I use hand signals frequently when slowing down and/or turning off the highway and there is a vehicle behind me. |
Both drivers at fault. Definition of asleep at the wheel.
I believe seasoned travelers know the difference, generally, around the left signal. I signal drivers who I think are about to pass, to let them
know I see them.
Yes it's a dangerous practice as is passing and driving in Baja.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by zipitio | Truck was driving towards us. It all, of course, happened so quickly.
I first flashed my headlights and then blew the horn repeatedly. All with no results. Luckily, there was enough dirt on the side of the road to ride
it out and avoid being hit. Mirrors, truck camper hit the brushes on the side of road. Here is video:
https://youtu.be/PESgeh7GP5M
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio] |
F'UCK!
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by zipitio | Truck was driving towards us. It all, of course, happened so quickly.
I first flashed my headlights and then blew the horn repeatedly. All with no results. Luckily, there was enough dirt on the side of the road to ride
it out and avoid being hit. Mirrors, truck camper hit the brushes on the side of road. Here is video:
https://youtu.be/PESgeh7GP5M
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio]
[Edited on 7-26-2019 by zipitio] |
That'll tighten your grip on the wheel, for sure. I've had a handful of those close shaves and never want it to happen again.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Wow that was terrible. Glad you made it.
I bet the audio was a bit colorful I mean it scared the chit out of me!!
Thanks for posting, great dashcam stuff, almost like Russia!!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
Member Is Offline
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That’s exactly the scene I hope never to see driving my motor home or even a motorcycle! You did a great job of holding it on course. Lucky there
was at least some shoulder there instead of the usual two foot drop off.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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Chime in with what?
Here’s my chime.
Last week, on top the mountain South of Loreto, a small white MX car went off the road. Guardia were there. Passengers on side of road. Car was
20’ in gully on up hill side and right side up.
Miracles happen.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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We had our sideview mirror on the driver side completely torn off on the mountain headed south from Santa Rosalia (Cuesta del Infierno).
Truck just moved over onto our side!
Happens so fast. So scary.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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I drove to Todos Santos right after Hurricane Kay last September. There were many sections of the highways that not only lacked a shoulder, the
pavement was actually undercut by erosion.
The truckers knew that, so many of them chose to crowd the centerline more than usual and force oncoming traffic to crowd the pavement edge on their
side!
[Edited on 3-4-2023 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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When the final section Hwy. 1 first opened... San Quintín to San Ignacio, in 1973, being that it was so narrow (19 ft.) and no shoulders, often on an
elevated levee or carved into cliffs, driving in the middle was the safest method. When an oncoming vehicle was seen, one would drift back into the
lane as best as you could fit. The government told us that this was just temporary to get the highway in, on budget. They said it would SOON be
widened! About 30 years passed before some 10-20 km. sections did get widened. This was around El Rosario and Nuevo Rosarito.
The late Nomad, 'jrbaja' posted this to illustrate the small margain of error on Mex. #1:
I took this in 2009, nearing San Quintín from the south:
Not a big deal in a Tacoma... but driving a motorhome or big camper, towing a boat or ? well, it can be butt pucker!
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