Truckers Tailgating

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Labrador, May 21, 2022.

  1. Labrador

    Labrador Medium Load Member

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    I was driving home at night from AZ to CA along the 10 and noticed again and again a a semi tailgating another semi, on a nearly empty interstate. Why are they doing this? Are they talking to the other trucker on the CB radio and want better reception? Are they utilizing the draft from the truck in front of them? Does this annoy the hell out of the driver in front? I noticed the trucks usually do not tailgate cars, just other trucks.
     
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  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Stupid behavior - that will eventually win a stupid prize.
     
  4. Bozwik

    Bozwik Light Load Member

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    Super Trucker with aluminum sun visor that covers 3/4 of the windshield and front nose that makes it impossible to make tight turns... yee haw, look at me.
     
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  5. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    They tailgate cars as well.
    And yes, it does irritate me.

    A truck will tailgate me for miles and miles, then I will drop my speed by 5-10 until they go around.
    Then they are doing 70 and off into the distance they go.
    It boggles the mind, just as much as when a truck is going 62 as I am coming up. As soon as I get next to their truck as I am passing they bump up their speed to match mine.
     
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Most new truck drivers just bring their bad habits from driving a 4-wheeler into the truck. Also, with SO MANY fleet trucks having their speed limited near the same few speeds it sometimes takes miles of following to finally decide if you want to spend the next 18 minutes passing the truck in front of you. Also, some drivers follow another truck, let him do the driving, so they can focus on their smartphone.

    There is some fuel economy advantage from following a truck, but I doubt any of the truck drivers you see tailgating care how much the boss spends on fuel. Maybe 10-20% of truck drivers even have a CB, half f those probably only turn it on when they come to a traffic jam. When in doubt, always assume the others on the road are on the phone or being bad drivers.
     
  7. aussiejosh

    aussiejosh Road Train Member

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    Well perhaps their all ex Nascar drivers and are just used to keeping their nose near the other vehicles rear end? But then if we watch Nascar its very obvious to see what results when one follows to closely at high speeds. :cool:
     
  8. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    From what I see, it's the cheap imported labor from California typically driving a Cascadia...

    If they ain't glued to my rear it's because they're parked on the shoulder or blocking the fuel lanes at the truckstop.
     
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  9. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    The people it doesn't seem to bother forgot what mirrors are for or that they exist.
     
  10. drvrtech77

    drvrtech77 Road Train Member

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  11. JSanborn103

    JSanborn103 Medium Load Member

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    I never understood why some people tailgate cars especially. 4 wheelers look for any reason to sue and all they have to do is gently tap their brake when a truck is 6 inches from their bumper on the highway
     
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