Truckers Tailgating

Back in the early 90's I lived in Germany, had a fast BMW and would regularly seriously tailgate a Mercedes in the left lane doing over 100 mph. I get it! HOWEVER, it was still stupid, but was pretty common amongst German drivers in an Autobahn's left lane. (For those that don't know, they religiously and diligently practice lane discipline there. If you can move to a slower lane on the right, you do. So, only the idiot fast folks, like myself at the time, hung out for long in the farthest left lane. Even at 110 mph you'd commonly get someone on your rear flashing their highbeams wanting you to move right.)
All that said, here in the States tailgating is complete folly. I had too many close calls long ago and stopped tailgating in my personal car long before I started driving a truck. Then, the rigs in Swift's fleet have forward facing cameras and the 'drive smart' system that will nail you for tailgating closer than 4 seconds. Also have the annoying beeper when your following distance gets too close. So, it teaches and enforces new drivers to develop the habit of not tailgating. Yes, it is a pain in the neck to contend with at times. But, I think it has more positives than negatives.
My number one gripe about other truck drivers has to be following too close. Now that I'm a driver, I know how long it takes to slow down or stop a rig. Makes me cringe even more. All I can say is there are alot of VERY lucky drivers who probably think, falsely, that they are 'skilled' at such. Sorry, that's not skill, that's just dumb luck!
Anyway, similar to @Moosetek13 , if someone gets too close behind me and I start getting annoyed, I'll slow down by a mile an hour. Sit there for bit and slow down a mile an hour again and continue until they finally get a clue and get around me. Some idiots are dense though. I was on an Interstate with a speed limit of 75. I was doing my governed 65 and ended up over about 20 miles slowing all the way down to 43 before they finally got a clue and passed me. It was ridiculous.

 

Saia is passing you? Lol.

 

I think had slowed down but my truck runs 68..i think he was running next to me trying to pass and i backed off because I can’t stand these fools that catch you then can’t pass..

 

I do the same. I’m not interested in a guy next to me passing at 2mph. I drive to arrive. Had too many idiots doing unexpected stuff.

 

I also slow down if a truck is passing my 65 truck at 66.
Happens all the time, and they'll take forever if I make them. Especially if there are a few hills and I am lighter.
But I really hate a truck right next to me. Safer to just back down to 60 and let them pass me more quickly.

And how much time do I really lose out of being a nice guy?
A few seconds, and nothing in the long run as far as my delivery is concerned.

 

Wow ! Stiff punishment. Those guys would cream in their pants if they set up on i40. That seems to be a normal thing

 

It isn't so much a pain if you always are going just a bit slower than the too close vehicle in front of you.
As long as the distance is increasing it won't set off the trigger for an event.

It is rather surprising that CA has not mandated that system for all cars and trucks operating in CA.
Think of the money they could make if they did, with every event generating an automatic ticket.

 

I do the same thing. It does annoy me on those occasions, after I've slowed down so they can get passed me, once in front of me they are obviously going slower. It's like why did you pass me if you're just gonna slow down. I think some folks do it to be disrespectful to Swift. IDK.
Also, if I'm going up a hill and going faster than another truck, pretty common I'll just slow down and hang behind him. Chances are pretty good once we get back on level ground they'll will want to go faster than me anyway. Why pass them just so they'll have to pass me again. IDK, I just drive with a mindset of we're all on the road trying to get someplace. Might as well work together and be nice about it. I like the old fable of the tortoise and the hare. When I'm driving my rig, I'm that tortoise. I just keep clugging along, I'll get there eventually.

 

I'm kinda lucky at the moment. I got a brand new 2022 Volvo a couple of months ago. But, due to the shortages of odd things, the radar sensor thingy that's suppose to be in the grill isn't there. As best I've been able to gather, they aren't expected to start catching up on manufacturing and shipping those units until towards the end of the year. So, my new truck doesn't have the annoying beeper for following distance. Also doesn't have adaptive cruise, which is pretty easy to live without. Never had a car with one anyway. Also pretty sure that sensor gets tied into the driver cam system as I haven't had a following distance ding since I've been in my truck (I averaged 1 about every 2 or 3 months before. Well, you get in SoCal traffic and sometimes stuff happens). Anyway, I'm a good driver to do without the sensor because I really don't tailgate anyway. I probably drive with better following distances without the stupid beeper. After all, I don't have it to tell me I'm too close. I gotta judge it for myself only.