Highway Etiquette Question

Yes, and thank you for asking. Slowing to allow a tractor trailer over is good traffic etiquette, while maintaining speed can pose an unnecessary risk.

I greatly appreciate a car behind me that recognizes a developing situation in which a tractor trailer may want to get in the left lane to avoid a potential hazard on the righr shoulder.

It's also good that you are looking far enough down the road to notice said potential hazard and the need for a a tractor trailer to move over in order to give space to a stopped vehicle.

Unfortunately, not all truck drivers attempt to move left when they should. Same applies to four wheelers.

Beware of trucks pulling Amazon Prime, Super Ego, or FedEx Ground (not Freight) doubles. While any truck can be questionable these days, the three mentioned above have been the most problematic in recent years.

 

Helping each other out on the road is the wat it should be. I agree with @Flat Earth Trucker 100%. The biggest problem out there these past 2 generations is the “me first” mentality. Everyone needs to be in front. But remember that can also mean getting to be the first one involved in a disaster.
That being said their will be some other drivers that will come on here and say what you are doing is wrong and don’t do it, and they don’t need the help, blah, blah. Ignore them. That mentality is also a big part of the bad truck drivers problem we have today.

 

It's a great question but IMO not one with a direct answer. It's situational a lot of the time. Slowing down a little to let another truck over is appreciated by most truckers to keep everyone safe and to keep traffic flowing without a big slowdown in the fast lane.

However, sometimes it's best to just roll on, such as when the lanes are wider or there's a big shoulder and/or you've got a line of traffic behind you in the hammer lane. In that case I try to quickly size up the best choice and sometimes it's to roll on with the hammer down and give as much room as you can.

At the end of the day whichever move keeps you and those around you safest at that moment is the best move.

 

I always appreciate it when someone lets me over. It can get complicated though, it’s not always obvious what the car driver’s intention is. If I think you’re letting me change lanes and I’m wrong, any accident will be my fault, legally. My default assumption is that I’m safer staying in my lane even if that means I’m going to be stuck behind slower or even stoped traffic.

Flashing your headlights to communicate directly that you’re inviting me over is deeply appreciated, and I’m much more likely to take advantage of your kindness!

 

For a hazard, yes, it is helpful, but sometimes less experienced drivers aren't great at knowing where the end of their trailer is.

For merging cars, there were times when I did NOT want to change lanes. first, because I may be heavy and climbing, and did not want to get stuck in a faster lane and not be able to get back easily. Or maybe I'm exiting soon, and wish to stay in my lane. Mostly, I let the 4-wheelers who bunch-up on the entrance ramp try to remember the correct way to merge and don't waste time and energy moving my big, heavy truck over to placate their lousy driving skills. Frankly, as long as I'm not doing anything wrong, they can ride the shoulder for an entire mile if they wish to.....

 

Yea , if you see the issue developing ( road work , merging on/off ramps , overpasses) but also what was said before , if i am heavy and far right , i'm not gonna be moving over for a while ( at least a mile at one spot i do everyday ).
So yea if you can go left lane and keep speed , its definitly a smoother interaction

 

Definatly can't see a wave from 75ft ahead... flash the lights a couple times if u trying to let him over. We always appreciate the 4 wheelers helping us out.. and thanks for being a considerate driver, we need more of that out on the roads these days

 

We greatly appreciate your questions.
As a rule we communicate with our lights.
Trucks are equipped with special Front and Rear flashers.

We use front to communicate
“ I see you and if you want to take the lane I will accommodate you. “

The rears to say “Thank You “

Best to Flash if you want to communicate I see you and will accommodate if you need to switch lanes.

A brief Hazards if you are saying Thank You or just Hello to the Big Rig is always appreciated.

In the event of traffic slowing down, or you see a hazard down the road the Hazards are always appreciated.

Blessings and Safe travels.