Is this a new driver training technique?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Luckydawg66, May 26, 2021.

  1. Luckydawg66

    Luckydawg66 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2021
    Messages:
    2
    Thanks Received:
    2
    0
    I'm not a new driver but new to the forum. I was on the form a while back but it's been many years so new now. Anyway, have I missed something in new driver training? Has anyone else noticed how many trucks drive in the middle lane now? I run a route from South Georgia to Central Florida every night and I pass more trucks on the right than I do in the middle. Some of them, the majority of them just won't move. Have I missed something?
     
  2. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    75,004
    Thanks Received:
    171,008
    Location:
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    As long as there's 3 lanes, nothing wrong with that.
     
  3. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    Messages:
    14,699
    Thanks Received:
    18,483
    Location:
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    Probably.
     
  4. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    Messages:
    4,681
    Thanks Received:
    3,197
    Location:
    adelanto,ca.
    0
    except for Calif. where trucks have to be in right 2 lanes only.
     
  5. VA CDL Holder

    VA CDL Holder Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2011
    Messages:
    592
    Thanks Received:
    1,006
    0
    It's training that utilizes the Smith System of defensive driving. The rationale behind it it that the slow lane has to deal with merging traffic, so that's not where you want to be. You can look up the bullet points of the Smith System. Knight teaches this, or used to before the covid b.s. at their orientations.
     
  6. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2011
    Messages:
    11,624
    Thanks Received:
    101,927
    Location:
    Missouri
    0
    I drive in the middle lane to avoid tge brain dead idiots that can’t merge onto the highway.
     
  7. Suspect Zero

    Suspect Zero Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2016
    Messages:
    2,511
    Thanks Received:
    9,543
    Location:
    Burbank, IL
    0
    So it's okay to drive slower in the middle lane and make faster trucks pass you on the right? You might want to consider coming back to driving, you'd fit right in these days.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2021
  8. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,618
    Thanks Received:
    6,485
    Location:
    LA (lower Alabama)
    0
    Since the first road that had 3 lanes going in one direction, this has existed. It’s not just trucks
     
    gentleroger and slow.rider Thank this.
  9. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,143
    Thanks Received:
    18,311
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    0
    I remember someone referring to the middle lane as the 'safety lane'.

    I prefer the right lane in most situations. Much easier to keep some space around you without p'ing people off.
     
  10. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2010
    Messages:
    4,480
    Thanks Received:
    14,211
    Location:
    twin cities
    0
    Rural areas you'll find me in the right lane but in a congested metro area I'm in the #2 lane, or the #1 lane if the d-heads are loose, going 5 over.
     
    sevenmph, nredfor88 and PacoTaco Thank this.