I saw the inexperienced trucker scenario many years ago. We loved when the experienced guy pulled into our door yard after a long run. They could actually back up the 53 foot trailer with sleeper without jackknifing it in the road. Then they started sending the young guys and they didn't have the experience yet.I absolutely agree. Many of the drivers on the roadways today are the most inexperienced drivers ever. Which of course brings us back the my original point. The rising costs vs. the dropping of the pay scale has forced many of the most experienced and safest drivers to get out of the business.
To your second point, Kudos to you! We need the space. We don't accelerate like a racecar and don't stop on a dime. This is an 80,000 pound killing machine!!! Some of the antics done by 4 wheelers is not only dangerous but also flat illegal. Some states will actually ticket you for ANY unsafe behavior around trucks.
Once the price of gas went up many years ago, the shipping company started putting the load on the railroad. The local truckers could pick up the load one state away, no more 53 foot trailer and they were usually the same guy driving so he knew where to back in.