Trucks Use Left Lane

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by formertaxidriver, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. formertaxidriver

    formertaxidriver Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2008
    Aiea, HI
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    See the sign. Pay attention. Follow instruction. There is a good reason for you to be in the hammer lane (construction zones, Ohio, I-71, I-70). The lanes push over to the shoulder lane. The slow (granny lane) is on the shoulder! Danger! Look at the line on the right side of the lane! Some places there is less than 12" between the paved road and the soft dirt. Weaving off of the paved road here will get you into big trouble, your tandems hit the soft dirt and then you will roll....

    Tired of the backups from trucks in the ditch on their side from not paying attention to this small but important detail. Least that can happen to you is moving violation failure to obey traffic control device (sign).

    I know that if you are reading this you aren't one of our non-english speaking brothers from Qubec, or maybe an Eastern European fellow with a mill CDL that couldn't read the difference from the men's and women's bathroom....

    Thank you in advance for your co-operation on this matter!!!!!
     
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
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    Some of the work zones on the PA turnpike were like that.
     
  4. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    There is another reason, the shoulders aren't built to the same standard as the roadway, and heavy trucks will damage them in a short time, the hammer lane was formerly the granny lane so it was the lane taking the heaviest traffic from trucks before, it's built to take it. Even where there is plenty of pavement outside the marked lane, that lane and the 'shoulder aren't as heavy duty.
     
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  5. IROCUBabe

    IROCUBabe Road Train Member

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    Apr 9, 2008
    Dallas, TX
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    :biggrin_255:Or I could take both and drive up the middle right!
     
  6. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,676
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    You could, but you might not get away with that one, unless you are very good at getting out of trouble.:biggrin_255:
     
  7. 18wheeldumptrucker

    18wheeldumptrucker "Buckeye Bucket"

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    Apr 1, 2008
    Sullivan, Ohio
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    There's a spot like this on 71 south right at the 209. The ##### of it is, I get off at the 209 to come home everynight and if I get in the left lane (granny lane) I get blocked over there by the four wheelers. So, since I'm empty anyway, I just hang in the right. Sorry about that!
     
  8. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,676
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    Lane restrictions don't usually apply if you are exiting the road for some reason, should be OK, empty or loaded.
     
  9. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    Southeastern Pennsylvania
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    I encountered a good stretch of this along the PA turnpike on my trip to Michigan last week. I thought it simply had to do with the width of the lanes since the semi in front of me failed to move to the left lane and his rear tandems kept glancing off the bottom flare of the concrete divider on the right... while the drivers that merged left were riding free and clear.

    It's amazing what I learn here. Even though I didn't initiate the thread, I appreciate that you folks took the time to explain why this happens! :yes2557:
     
  10. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

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    The burning sands of the SW
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    There's another issue here with trucks using the right lane when they are supposed to be in the left- construction zones are narrow and have no shoulder. There often isn't room for a truck to pass another, and there certainly is no place to go if one of the trucks starts to drift. Yes, I think we've all had to go on the shoulder at some point because another truck crossed the center line while passing. I do it a couple times a day at least!

    When I'm coming up to a construction zone and I see a trucker speeding up to pass me, I slow way down so s/he can get past me before I reach the construction. They really make me nervous when they're right next to me and I have nowhere to go. If they're that insistent on passing me, I try to get them around me as quickly as possible.

    IMO, that's a 4-wheeler trick, putting everyone in danger just to get somewhere a little quicker. Is it really that bad to just follow me through the construction? It's not going to take that long! And you'll be more than welcome to pass me as soon as the road widens again and I have room to get out of the way if you drift.
     
  11. 18wheeldumptrucker

    18wheeldumptrucker "Buckeye Bucket"

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    Apr 1, 2008
    Sullivan, Ohio
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    You are right, that's a four wheeler trick. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more of those happening everyday.:biggrin_25516:
     
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