Capt._Chaos
06-06-2007, 08:48 AM
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock during the last decade knows that Atlanta, Georgia is now one of the busiest cities in the U.S., and with that comes a lot of traffic problems.
Aggressive Drivers: Atlanta is home to some of the most aggressive & daring drivers one can see anywhere (in both cars and big rigs). Unfortunately, as truckers we have to be aware of that and be prepared to compensate for their notorious ignorance & stupidity. This becomes readily apparent by just getting on Loop I-285 around the city. The speed limit on I-285 for all vehicles is 55 MPH, but it's not uncommon for the general flow of traffic to be screaming along at 70-80 MPH or better. In fact, I remember reading an article in an Atlanta newspaper many years ago that quoted a few Atlanta Police Officers saying it's not uncommon for them to clock people in cars doing over 90 MPH there.
While many people in Atlanta drive excessively fast, they're also famous for doing what is known as a "Hail Mary Exit", meaning they will often be flying along in the far left lanes & then about 1/8 of a mile away from the exit ramp they intend to take they will shoot across several lanes of traffic (usually without even checking their mirrors) to get to their exit ramp! :yikes:
There's a LOT of other stuff that goes on in Atlanta traffic that would literally take forever to write about, but what it boils down to is this: Hope for a safe trip through Atlanta, but always anticipate & be prepared for any vehicles around you to do something really stupid. Like I mentioned earlier, you often have to learn to compensate for their ignorance as a way to keep yourself out of trouble.
Lane Restrictions for Trucks: The signage around Atlanta (and in other parts of Georgia often varies, but it's up to YOU as a driver to pay very close attention to them & obey them- or be prepared to be issued a rather costly citation.
Many of the signs read something like:
"No Trucks Over 6 Wheels Allowed In Left Lane"
"No Trucks Over 6 Wheels Allowed In Two Left lanes"
"Trucks Over 6 Wheels Must Use Two Right Lanes".
Out on 2-lane highways away from the city, you will usually see a sign that reads [b]"Trucks Use Right Lane Except For Passing".
Unless you have a delivery that is INSIDE the parameter of Loop I-285, you are required by law to go around Atlanta on I-285. There's signs posted on all highways approaching Atlanta that read "Trucks Over 6 Wheels Must use I-285".
Save Yourself Some Frustration: If you're going through Atlanta on your trip, try to avoid going through there during the busier times (which is just about anytime in daylight hours during the week, and especially the usual morning & afternoon rush hour periods). Many experienced drivers try to plan ahead and go through major cities like Atlanta at night when there's much less traffic to worry about.
Avoid Parking Overnight In Atlanta If At All Possible. Along with the huge population in any major cities comes the likelihood of crime taking place. Usually around the truck stops, it's those with ill intent breaking into trucks & trailers, drug dealers, prostitutes, and of course, panhandlers trying to convince drivers to spare a few bucks- they will almost always come knocking on your sleeper during the night with some BS sob story. A few of them will even try to talk you into letting them come into your truck- DO NOT DO IT- and DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR OR LOWER YOUR WINDOW DOWN EVEN MORE THAN JUST A FEW INCHES and just politely tell them "Sorry, I can't help you." If they persist, just inform them that you will call the police if they don't leave you alone, and DO keep your cell phone at the ready in case anyone proves to have ill intentions.
Be safe out there! -Jeff
Aggressive Drivers: Atlanta is home to some of the most aggressive & daring drivers one can see anywhere (in both cars and big rigs). Unfortunately, as truckers we have to be aware of that and be prepared to compensate for their notorious ignorance & stupidity. This becomes readily apparent by just getting on Loop I-285 around the city. The speed limit on I-285 for all vehicles is 55 MPH, but it's not uncommon for the general flow of traffic to be screaming along at 70-80 MPH or better. In fact, I remember reading an article in an Atlanta newspaper many years ago that quoted a few Atlanta Police Officers saying it's not uncommon for them to clock people in cars doing over 90 MPH there.
While many people in Atlanta drive excessively fast, they're also famous for doing what is known as a "Hail Mary Exit", meaning they will often be flying along in the far left lanes & then about 1/8 of a mile away from the exit ramp they intend to take they will shoot across several lanes of traffic (usually without even checking their mirrors) to get to their exit ramp! :yikes:
There's a LOT of other stuff that goes on in Atlanta traffic that would literally take forever to write about, but what it boils down to is this: Hope for a safe trip through Atlanta, but always anticipate & be prepared for any vehicles around you to do something really stupid. Like I mentioned earlier, you often have to learn to compensate for their ignorance as a way to keep yourself out of trouble.
Lane Restrictions for Trucks: The signage around Atlanta (and in other parts of Georgia often varies, but it's up to YOU as a driver to pay very close attention to them & obey them- or be prepared to be issued a rather costly citation.
Many of the signs read something like:
"No Trucks Over 6 Wheels Allowed In Left Lane"
"No Trucks Over 6 Wheels Allowed In Two Left lanes"
"Trucks Over 6 Wheels Must Use Two Right Lanes".
Out on 2-lane highways away from the city, you will usually see a sign that reads [b]"Trucks Use Right Lane Except For Passing".
Unless you have a delivery that is INSIDE the parameter of Loop I-285, you are required by law to go around Atlanta on I-285. There's signs posted on all highways approaching Atlanta that read "Trucks Over 6 Wheels Must use I-285".
Save Yourself Some Frustration: If you're going through Atlanta on your trip, try to avoid going through there during the busier times (which is just about anytime in daylight hours during the week, and especially the usual morning & afternoon rush hour periods). Many experienced drivers try to plan ahead and go through major cities like Atlanta at night when there's much less traffic to worry about.
Avoid Parking Overnight In Atlanta If At All Possible. Along with the huge population in any major cities comes the likelihood of crime taking place. Usually around the truck stops, it's those with ill intent breaking into trucks & trailers, drug dealers, prostitutes, and of course, panhandlers trying to convince drivers to spare a few bucks- they will almost always come knocking on your sleeper during the night with some BS sob story. A few of them will even try to talk you into letting them come into your truck- DO NOT DO IT- and DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR OR LOWER YOUR WINDOW DOWN EVEN MORE THAN JUST A FEW INCHES and just politely tell them "Sorry, I can't help you." If they persist, just inform them that you will call the police if they don't leave you alone, and DO keep your cell phone at the ready in case anyone proves to have ill intentions.
Be safe out there! -Jeff