The other day I was on the Ohio turnpike headed East. It was snowing. Traffic was light. I was moving along at about 55 mph. The right travel lane was basically dry. Ahead was a plow in the passing or left lane salting and clearing snow. A FedEx doubles combo was coming up fast on my left approaching the plow.
The safe thing to do for the FedEx driver to so would have been to slow down – he was probably moving close to 70 mph – pull behind me and when we both passed the plow, the FedEx truck could have moved back into the passing lane and gone on his way.
But that’s not what happened. The FedEx truck increased his speed and decided he “needed” to pass me with the plow fast approaching him ahead. I maintained 55.
The FedEx truck was right next to me now attempting to pass, getting closer and closer to the plow. FedEx increased his speed. We were just about side by side now. The plow right in front of him.
Now what was going on in this FedEx driver’s mind? I’ll tell you. “Me FedEx, you shit, you slow down and let me pass. My dick is bigger than yours – get out of my way. Speed, gotta get there, I’m under a deadline, fuck the snow, fuck the snowplow, fuck the other driver in the other lane, fuck everybody and their mother because I get to the FedEx consolidation terminal and can’t be late.”
It’s the same thing that’s going on with UPS doubles drivers when they tailgate, harass other drivers and speed. FedEx and UPS drivers don’t seem to obey the speed limit and certainly don’t seem to concerned about conserving fuel. And this is not an occasional thing – it happens all the time.
If I had the resources I would film what I’m describing - to prove to you that it’s happening all the time. Although, if you drive on the interstates, you know what I’m saying is completely true.
So let’s go back to the FedEx doubles driver headed right toward the snow plow. He ran out of room. The had to jam on his brakes and rapidly slow down – almost stop – in order not to crash right into the snowplow. It was close, too close. He, like many other UPS and FedEx drivers, made a series of BAD (stupid) decisions.
The safety departments for UPS and FedEx need to do a much better job of slowing their (ground) doubles combo’s down, stop the tailgating, cease harassing other trucks, RV’s and 4-wheelers and learn the rules of the road, especially in inclement weather. On time performance should never trump safety.
And let me say that I drove doubles for FedEx back when it was RPS. I know the deal. I did that for over a year and left with an award for safe driving.
