My Girlfriend Didnt Know This And I Bet A Lot Of Others Out There Don't Either.

So we are driving (car) along I-40 near Gallup, and there are always a lot of trucks there. They are doing the pass-you-governed-one-mile-faster thing and we keep getting stuck behind the guy in the left lane and we have cars zooming up the right side trying to cut us off etc. So she says "why are all these truckers such jerks that they wont pass each other just hang there side by side blocking faster traffic?". So I explained to her how the trucks are governed so they cant go any faster for insurance, fuel economy and any other number of reasons beyond the drivers control. And about how they get paid per mile so if one slows down he is losing money and time, and that they passing truck is the same way, trying to go as fast as he can to make money to feed his family etc. And that the drivers didn't choose to get paid per mile that's just the way the industry has become. She tells me wow she had no idea and it really opened her eyes as to why the rolling roadblocks occur and that it isn't really the drivers fault they cant go faster. If everyone knew this there would be a lot less road rage towards truckers.

Phil.

Granted, it's been 20+ years since I had driver education in high school, but I don't recall being taught about the nature of driving a big rig - probably because it wasn't taught. That's my point. I think it would behoove each state's DOT to educate the motoring public about elementary aspects of operating a truck. This should be mandatory during driver education. Examples would include how CMVs can't stop on a dime, how it's dangerous to not give CMVs proper space, why it takes CMVs so long to accelerate, etc... I would think that this would at least stick with a decent amount of folks that were about to receive their license.

I'm not saying it would cure road rage or make people respect trucks. People are taught not to tailgate but the vast majority of the public does it anyhow. I do believe it would be beneficial for the public to know basic things about why trucks 'behave' the way they do.

Granted, it's been 20+ years since I had driver education in high school, but I don't recall being taught about the nature of driving a big rig - probably because it wasn't taught. That's my point. I think it would behoove each state's DOT to educate the motoring public about elementary aspects of operating a truck. This should be mandatory during driver education. Examples would include how CMVs can't stop on a dime, how it's dangerous to not give CMVs proper space, why it takes CMVs so long to accelerate, etc... I would think that this would at least stick with a decent amount of folks that were about to receive their license.

I'm not saying it would cure road rage or make people respect trucks. People are taught not to tailgate but the vast majority of the public does it anyhow. I do believe it would be beneficial for the public to know basic things about why trucks 'behave' the way they do.

Absolutely agree!

For kicks I went on the PA DMV website for sample/practice drivers test questions, this was the first one I saw (no kidding!) :

1. If you are following a truck that swings left before making a right turn at an intersection, you should remember that it is very dangerous to: - Violate the “4 – second” following distance rule - Apply your brakes until the truck has completed the turn - Try to squeeze between the truck and curb to make a right turn - Honk your horn at the truck driver

These companies should put those decals on the trailers that say this vehicle is governed

I don't think the trucks need to be marked. After a week on the road, you have a pretty solid idea of which company can go how fast.