Middle Lane Etiquette

I got pulled over the other day for what I thought was driving in the middle lane. The cop said it was because of one of the straps looked like it was ready to come off which I showed her it was very secure. So she mentioned the fact I was doing the speed limit in the middle lane and I asked if this was a problem she said "**** no, if these idiots don't like it, they can go around you". This is the second time I have been told this from a cop.

I can't afford to play games with idiots getting on and especially trying to get off the freeway. yesterday I was in the right lane getting ready for my exit a mile further down the road coming up to an exit, no one around me. All of a sudden I had a wine delivery truck come out of the far left lane cut me off and slam on his brakes in order to make the exit. I've had people coming on the freeway think they have right of way (state law is clear - I have right way no matter what) and sit there like they are daring me not to move.

 

I . . .

Row, row , row my boat
Gently down the stream . . .

Usually in the middle lane,
Making other drivers scream.

I'm just not that bothered by it. I'll go around if I have to - left it right. Or just maintain a safe distance and flow with traffic.

 

I beg to differ here.....While it would be nice and also very courteous for those riding in the middle lane to yield to faster traffic , I'm not too sure there is an obligation ( by law) to do that. Like to see the link/s provided to show the statutes that require /give an obligation to move over for faster traffic. If there is , well , I'll stand corrected. B ut as long as your vehicle is traveling at the posted speed limit , I don't think there is one.

That vendetta you speak of is sort of silly...people are pigs....not all of them mind-you , but a fair amount are. Especially when they get behind the wheeel of a car / truck. Some even transform from a mild-mannered / even tempered / decent person , into a complete and total fool...they seem to get a feeling of power , and expect everyone else to just give them the room or the lane they want....happens everywhere , everyday , thousands , if not tens of thousands of times.

This statement here shows just how much , you need to learn about your chosen career path , it demonstrates not only immaturity as a professional driver , but the need for an attitude/ outlook change. [Quote rocksstar-nj] Face it, you're a trucker, not a traffic controller. Your job is to drive, that's it. Why do you care so much anyway what some other guy wants to do?[Un-Quote]

You are in fact , in a huge way , alot of times , a very big factor ( read traffic controller ) , in the safe and even flow of traffic. Your job as trucker , 1st and foremost , without a shadow of any doubt , is to drive safely , and with the idea / and expectation constantly in your head that an accident can happen at any second , in front , beside , and yes even behind you that can alter alot of people's lives forever. This road-rage nonsense happens when an idiot chooses to loose control of his decision making capabilities and becomes by default a menace to everyone around him...you as the professional , are charged with the responsibility to be above that sort of thing....

Like I said in my 1st post on this thread...number 5 I beleive it was....Patience.....it's your friend....use it.... we'll all be better off in the long run.


Happy Trails....

 

The majority of accidents happen from tailgating and driving too fast. I want to see the list with lane changing on it.


When trucks are restricted to two lanes the rules don't magically change from a normal two lane in both directions. For some reason that restricted 3rd lane changes some mentalities. Drive right, pass left. It's illegal to pass on the right. Don't force people to that position.

It's not that hard to deal with a merge if one scans and plans. A little thing called a turn signal or variable fuel pedal does wonders. A 4 wheeler might cut you off but another truck driver will see the scenario and let you over. That's if you are not driving in Buttville like I-94. Like blair said go with the flow. Some feel like they are missing out if they ain't passing someone. We're talking about seconds.

I always get tickled at the weaver being overly aggressive. 20 miles down the road he is still in front of you.


Drivers need to do their part to get along, be respectful and courteous. This me me me needs to stop.

 

I heard on the grapevine (cb) that mega fleets are teaching their newbies to ride the middle lane. I wonder if they inform them that doing so in California will get you a ticket if that lane is not signed with:

 

Most of the time I see this happen on highways where the speed limit is 65 or more and trucks just want to sit in the middle lane. If you're doing below 65, yield to the faster trucks and get out the way, it's about being courteous, which it seems most of you guys dont know about.

And i would say if you doing the speed limit it's fine to be in the middle lane, but I would be lying after countless trips up I-95 in CT doing 60-65 while being angry at trucks in the middle lane doing 55. If you see a line of trucks behind you just slide over, let em all pass & get back over in the middle lane.

 

One SMITH system key. "Leave yourself an out." Restriction to the right lane because others just want to be arsholes limits said out. If something is fixing to happen on the left side and your all the way to the right and no immediate exit, there's no where to go. Your screwed! Acting like billy big rigger and putting wings on that truck then getting in an accident ahead of me from such stupidity would result in an ### kicking before calling 911 for one because you just made me lose time and two because it's a percentage factor that such a ignorant thing to do could have resulted in myself being involved in that accident. If your in that big of a hurry then you either need to leave earlier or stop spending so much time pissing away money in the truck stop (or blabbering on the radio late at night and sleeping in, in the mornings making you run late). This goes also for those O/O's who poorly schedule their appointment times so tight that they have to run 70+ from point A all the way to point B because they are already late to getting to point C or those who simply do it because they aren't happy unless they have something to ##### about or trying to just look cool because their truck isn't castrated. Stop! Your not impressing anyone. In which case no one is even paying attention to you anyway and to anyone who maybe paying attention probably thinks your a complete dumb ### with a huge lack of intelligence in which case sooner or later, your an accident waiting to happen! It's just a matter of time.

Tennessee cities, ALWAYS ride the middle lane regardless. It's just how they have their interstate system setup.

 

I recall hearing it as a method but not a requirement. Probably doing so in conjunction with the smith system to reduce rear end and side swipe accidents. Insurance companies are funny about what gets taught these days but what they fail to realize is half of it doesn't get used in the real world. But then again we are talking about Kommiefornia. The state where just smoking a cigarette in the truck can land you a ticket which is complete ######## that they call the inside of your truck "a place of business".