Couple of things Truckers Do...but why?

I've never done that, nor have I seen it done my entire time on the road.

Although I'm sure it has happened.

My personal favorite...back in the day. I bought a jammer. I would wait until someone who was obviously hauling ### got just past my truck. Then flip the switch, and watch the brakes light up

FYI: The old Jammers would set off every radar detector within a mile

 

Not sure about that, but I know during traffic jams when cars run up the shoulder thinking they are better than everyone else and dont have to wait, trucks sometimes will ride the shoulder to block them.

 

If a trucker is the only vehicle in the passing lane, does s/he still like to get the on-off's once he has cleared the lead car in the right lane? I usually only flash the lights if the truck has traffic behind him... figuring that he'll want to return to the right lane as soon as possible to allow the vehicles behing him to either follow suit or pass him. Otherwise, I see no rush in getting back in the right lane... so I let him go on his merry way in the left lane 'til he's ready to come over on his own. (Am I making sense? )

 

Sometimes I hate wide shoulders, especially if there is a wide shoulder next to a right-turn-only lane. Some knucklehead will come right up alongside you when you're going into the turn attempting to "sneak" ahead. I'd like to smack the daylights outta those fools.

I wonder who would be considered in the wrong in the event the driver hit the guy who ran up the shoulder into the turn.

 

Actually, it depends on the trucker. While many see it as saying, come on over.

Some of us see it as, okay you're clear. Keep hammering.

That's why I hesitate to flash anyone now days. Clear and come on over are 2 differant things.

Clear means, if you MUST move. It's an option. IE a gater pops up in your lane. I don't REALLY want you there, unless you need to be there. Therefor, I'm usually later with the lights than most drivers.

I've seen too many drivers bring it over immediately, although they may only have 15 feet of space between the other truck.

I alway try to open a gap. Regardless of the traffic that may be waiting on me to move.

 

Comet -
It's very hard to get back up to speed if we have to slow down. When we need to pass another truck, especially uphill, if we have to slow down, we may never get around. Example: If I'm going 50 mph uphill and a truck in front of me is going 35, if I have to let off the accelerator at all because I can't get to the other lane right away, then I too will be trying to pull that hill at 35 mph, or maybe less. We shouldn't be cutting you off, but please try to understand our POV as well. As for a signal, flashing high beams, or 4 way 'hazards' is fine. Good luck! Be safe!

 

Truckers know from experience if they see a slower truck ahead and move to left too soon some idiot 4 wheeler will try to pass on the right before they are next to the other truck .

 

Your cruise control is set at 75 in a state where the speed limit for cars is 65 and trucks is 55? Split speed limits is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Cruise control is used way to much these days IMO. Most 4 wheelers don't seem to like to take the cruise control off for anything. Even if I have working cruise control, I rarely use it unless there is very little traffic on the road.

We do appreciate your efforts to make a driver's life a bit easier out there. Take the advice that you see here, and maybe slow down a bit yourself. A lot of trucks out there now days are governed at 63 or 68 mph, and can't go any faster. Thanks for being safety conscious!

 

a lot of trucks are governed at *60* and can't go any faster.

My preferences: NEVER flash high beams. If you flash lights at me, you are saying - in effect - you can come over and not hit me. I may, or may not, move over at that time. In either case, I'll flash my OK to let you know I saw your offer.

It's not just my paycheck I'm guarding - though I'll be honest enough to say it's the most important thing to me. But if I see you flash your lights and come over - and we're both wrong about speed and spacing, odds are *I* ain't going to the hospital. So, I'm being a bit over cautious

Besides, while I like cops more than most truckers do, I really don't want to spend working time talking to them.

lilbit - it makes sense for him to have his cruise at 75. Sure the legal limit is 65, but the flow of traffic - you can be sure - is closer to 80. You said it yourself - the split speed is stupid. You should ALWAYS move with the flow of traffic - no matter what the speed limit is.

WE don't have that choice, since the companies have made us $100,000 rolling roadblocks.

(though I've heard rumors that - texas, I think it was - one state was stopping every truck from certain companies and not allowing them to leave the coop until the governor was turned up to the highway minimums. Probably not true, but a fun story anyway)