Passing Etiquette

Perhaps one of my biggest pet peeves is other vehicles just kinda hanging out on the side of me. You'll find people on both sides of the argument about who's at fault for the turtle races we see on the roadway, when it takes them 5 miles to complete the pass. Some say if you don't have the power/speed you shouldn't even attempt it. Others expect the vehicle getting passed to back off the throttle for a few seconds. Personally I do what it takes to avoid having anybody nearby.

Today I seen the aftermath of what can happen riding on the side of somebody. Admittedly, I didn't see it happen or if they were having a turtle race but it's a good teaching moment regardless.

Photos were taken on the screen of my dashcam so I apologize for the low quality. What you can't see in the photos is the skid marks from the right lane. My theory, along with others on the CB, was the truck in the right lane (likely the flatbed) and had his brakes lock up on his trailer. It caused a jackknife and the red truck couldn't avoid getting involved. Flatbed load is scattered in the median. Again, just my theory I didn't witness it just by looking at it thats my thoughts. As I was passing the scene a trooper was just arriving. Thankfully both drivers were outside their vehicle although appearing to be ok.

Besides being a courteous driver, this is an excellent example of why hanging out on the side of someone, or even passing in general, can sometimes have unexpected consequences.

Wow, what a shame that happened. Seems like it could have easily been avoided.

I just had an interesting conversation with a more experienced driver about this exact subject. She said that she has done her own study of this on the road. She has concluded that the driver who backs off one of these turtle races loses approximately 1&1/2 minutes. So, say you get into 4 of these situations in a day, you have been set back 6 minutes in exchange for the safety you have created. Food for thought.

I just had an interesting conversation with a more experienced driver about this exact subject. She said that she has done her own study of this on the road. She has concluded that the driver who backs off one of these turtle races loses approximately 1&1/2 minutes. So, say you get into 4 of these situations in a day, you have been set back 6 minutes in exchange for the safety you have created. Food for thought.

I haven't done any calculations for total time lost throughout the day but it's very minimal. Your stress level is always far less to just back down. You'll notice the guy hanging in the left lane tends to start having sloppy lane control (likely trying to scare other guy), plus the long line of cars will cut both trucks off as soon as they have barely enough room to squeeze by causing the guy in the left lane to be stuck longer. Just back off the throttle and let them by. I'm not going to put myself in danger or behave unprofessional just to prove a point that I'm in the right. We're governed at 70 and there's times I'll sit behind somebody doing 65. Since our internationals suck at pulling hills with any weight I have to be smart about passing anytime I'm running I80. If I'm running I35 other than the couple small hills between Des Moines and Ames I'm able to maintain 70. Yesterday for example i ran to Lincoln and despite my load only being 34k and doing 70 at the bottom I was down to 50 mph by the time I made it to the top of the hills out by Avoca. In our Volvos i had no issue staying above 60.

One other take away from this wreck is the weather conditions. We just made it through one heck of a winter, clear skies, very minimal wind and 80 degrees. What could possibly go wrong!? Brett has mentioned numerous times some of the worst wrecks he seen was on clear, dry roads.

She has concluded that the driver who backs off one of these turtle races loses approximately 1&1/2 minutes. So, say you get into 4 of these situations in a day, you have been set back 6 minutes in exchange for the safety you have created.

Does she come to a complete stop? No way you lose 1.5 minutes to let someone pass. 1.5 minutes over the course of the day I can see.

I like to have bubble around my truck, really dislike when a car or a truck pops it. I really hate when some truckers, for some reason, feel the need to run mirror to mirror in a construction zone when there is no need to.

I posted here a few years ago, as a truck was passing me he blew a steer tire. Was a clenching moment for both of us.

Can we talk about safely merging today?

I almost got hit by a merging truck, with two to my left and nowhere to go. Lots and lots of bad words were flying around my truck.

I will back off the cruise, because Prime has a different speed via cruise vs pedal, so that quick change, is enough to stop the turtle race, and not noticably affect those behind me.

I hate the drivers that will creep along at 62 until you start to pass them, then speed up to 65.