Should I flash you over? And other road etiquette questions...

1- yes, especially if the situation is kind of "iffy".
2- yes, if you can do something that does not endanger you and can help make the trucker's life a bit easier it will be appreciated
3- unless you're in an area known to have hit and miss cellular service, don't bother and/or risk yourself. Any trucker is going to have a cellular phone or cellular comm system in the truck
4- so long as you're far enough back to always be in view in the driver mirror (a "safe" following distance), I'll have no problem with a car running behind that wants to run slower then the rest. However, "several car lengths" may be a little too close for anything more then a "while"
5- sounds like you're not one to be guilty of this ... but cars making an entire pass at 1-2 MPH faster then the truck is annoying among many other adjectives. Leave the cruise on, fine, but when you get to within a car length of the rear of my trailer, mash on the gas a bit and get on around then fall back to the cruise. Don't dilly-dally around while passing. Trucks do this too, but typically they don't have any extra speed available to utilize. However some are just idiots like so many other car drivers.

 

If you want to. I'll manage just fine if you don't. In my opinion, cars will usually flash me over sooner than what I normally would consider a safe distance to move over. But if you do, refrain from using the high beams and if you do use the high beam, use them is short quick flicks instead of the the long bursts that rival solar flares.

What and how you 'control' other traffic is your business. I'll manage just fine if you don't.

Most companies have some sort of communication with their drivers. Stopping, while nice, isn't really necessary. Also pulling over on a shoulder of a busy interstate highway for a well being check isn't the safest thing to do.

Haha! I never considered that was the reason for developing a tail. It makes sense, I suppose. Irritating? Depends on the driver. If you see that the driver is suddenly speeding up and slowing down for no apparent reason, it means he is trying to shake you loose.

Thanks for your concern and attentiveness. Drive safe.

 

I agree with everything posted, and thanks for your concern. I'm sure the owner/operators and heavy haulers love you! I've never pulled 130,000+lb but I'd guess anything that prevents them from slowing down could be worth a few dollars in fuel savings.

 

I guess if you want to flash the lights, do so only during the day.
And just turn the lights off on and really quick at night.

 

Sure, if my turn signal is flashing, otherwise no. There is a big mirror right next to my face and well within my peripheral vision. I know whats coming without looking directly into it. You have the right of way just keep on it as I might be waiting for you to pass if your going faster. If I do end up getting stuck behind a slow truck like that then I deserve it for being in steering wheel holder mode.

Please don't. There should be enough following distance in front of you so that merging traffic has a place to go. Leave the fast lane open so the traffic can flow, this is important after the merge point so people can merge left if they want to get out of there.

Moving left just plugs things up. Merging traffic gets stuck next to you and can't get out. It will be a rolling cluster for the next 10 miles or so.

It's a different world now. Alot of risk and too much liability. If it's obvious they need then maybe. Up to you.

Several truck lengths would be good. I don't know if you are paying attention and hopefully your headlights are adjusted properly.

Yes, I have a few.

 

FordRanger - it's good of you to ask. Most people on the roads only care about themselves.

 

In reference to #4, staying back a safe distance, 2 second rule, is appropriate. Think about this, if your talking on the phone, it may slow your reaction time down, so stay at least 2 seconds behind while on the phone, and follow the rule, "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you.

When I'm doing my "How to drive safely around trucks at the B.R.A.K.E.S classes I instruct at, last month I put a car 80ft behind the truck and lined it up so it couldn't be seen in either mirror, it shocked people that being that far back they still couldn't be seen. I've had them out to almost 150ft and not be able to see them.

 

Posted on wrong thread.... should've used my gps. [emoji13]