This post is mainly for all of you out there who have never driven a truck before. Once the initial disbelief and confused facial expression wears off after I tell somebody I’m a truck driver, they always have questions for me. So this will serve as a bit of Q&A for everyone.

Why do truck drivers always ride next to each other and block traffic on the expressway?

This has to be the number one question I get asked. It’s clearly something that irritates those we share the road with. Well, here’s a little secret for you. It irritates us just as much as it irritates you. Most trucks you see on the road have their speed governed between 60 and 65mph. So, let’s say there is one truck governed at 62 and one governed at 64. The faster truck will pull out and try to pass the slower truck. The faster truck only has 2mph to get around, so it takes a while as it is. But to make things even worse, the terrain plays a big role too. Should those trucks hit an incline, the slower truck might be loaded lighter or pull hills better. So the “faster” truck has now become the slower truck until the incline ends. The trucks sort of become “stuck” next to each other. All the while, cars are piling up in the passing lane getting upset at the “stupid truck driver.” The truck being passed couldslow down, but momentum is huge for these trucks. Letting up on the fuel just a little bit on an incline could set up for a chain reaction where the truck will just keep slowing down, eating up more pricey fuel. Then, it could take that truck a half mile or longer just to get the speed back up. It’s a situation that truck drivers hate just as much as everyone else on the road. When this happens, please don’t tailgate us. We’re doing our best, and we’re not sitting in the drivers seat laughing because of the backup we’re causing. Riding next to another semi is dangerous and we don’t like doing it, but sometimes the small inclines catch us by surprise and we get stuck. It doesn’t take much of an incline to slow us down. Tailgating us will do no good at all. If we blow a tire, guess where the rubber is going to end up? Right on your windshield. We can’t go any faster, even though we want to.

Why do truck drivers cut off cars?

I see this happen almost everyday. A truck will be in the right lane, then swing out into the left lane in front of a car to pass another vehicle, forcing the car in the left lane to hit the brakes. I don’t condone this. It is dangerous. But there’s a reason why they do this. It isn’t because they are trying to prove a point to you or simply trying to be a jerk. Sometimes, a truck will come up behind a vehicle that is traveling much slower. The driver has two choices; Either hit the brakes, wait for an opening, then move into the left lane, or simply cut in while there is space, even if that space is small. The reason a lot of drivers decide to pull out into the left lane is because once they hit the brakes and lose that momentum, it can take them a very long time to build that speed up again. This will cause traffic to back up behind them and eat up a lot of fuel. It’s usually a good idea, if you see a truck approaching another vehicle at a fast closing rate, simply back off and flash your lights so he knows he can come over. You won’t lose much time out of your day, and the driver will be very appreciative. I personally love when a “4-wheeler” helps me out. As dumb as it sounds, it can sometimes make my day! We fight with cars all day long, so when one or two of them show a little thoughtfulness, it goes a long way.

Another reason this happens is because of traffic near on-ramps. If there are a line of cars merging, a lot of drivers will simply try to get out of the way. Please, do not change lanes and pass on the right. Once the merge point has passed, that driver is looking for the first opportunity to get back over. A quick decision usually has to be made at merge points. If the driver feels getting into the left lane is the safest choice, he’s comin’ over, so give ‘em room.

Why do truck drivers get into the left lane, even if they aren’t passing anyone?

Truck drivers are taught to look very far down the road. Since we sit up high, we can see further than you can. If we see something such as an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, a broken down car or truck on the shoulder, a lane closure, construction, or any number of things, we will get into the left lane as soon as there is an opening. We won’t wait until the last second to move over. Sometimes it may seem like we moved over way too early. But if we can see the hazard, we’ll get over as soon as we can. Once we’ve passed the hazard, we will move back over. Also, in larger cities, if there are 3 lanes to use, drivers often will use the center lane. Most drivers take a defensive driving course called the “Smith System” and we are taught specifically to use the center lane. It’s much safer to us to use the center lane with all the merging going on. Plus, if something happens where we need to make a quick decision, we have more options to work with. Please, if you can help it, don’t pass us on the right. Passing on the left is always the safest choice. continue to page 2 –>

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