Trucks Must Use Left Lane, reasoning behind this in contstuction?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by zmster2033, Dec 16, 2018.

  1. zmster2033

    zmster2033 Light Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2011
    Charlotte, NC
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    Was wondering if anyone knew why there are signs in some construction area for trucks to be in the left lane. In some areas the left lane seems to be more rough and uneven than the right lane, so it would seem the right lane would be safer. Not sure what the reasoning was behind this.
     
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  3. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    some areas one lane is the shoulder and does not have the base for heavy vehicles, so they put us on the other side.
    In others it's to put us away from the merge lane on narrow lanes.
     
  4. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Most of the time the shoulder is not made to hold the weight of trucks on a daily basis use. When construction needs to use the shoulder as a travel lane, it's best to keep the trucks off it.
    Also, sometimes it's because the right lane is skinner for lack of room.
     
  5. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Sometimes the left lane is wider. Sometimes the right lane is what was previously the shoulder, so it can't support heavy truck traffic for weeks on end...
     
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  6. zmster2033

    zmster2033 Light Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2011
    Charlotte, NC
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    Ah, makes sense! I see you are from NC, I was specifically referring to the construction in SC on 85 around Spartanburg. Had a guy last week get a little road rage and race around me in the right lane, cut me off, and then slow down to 55MPH in the left lane. I was probably doing 65 the entire time until he got in front of me. He ran 55 for probably 10 miles and then sped away. Apparently he didn't see the million and one signs posted every quarter mile saying it was kosher for me to be there.
     
  7. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    lol, half the drivers either can't read the signs or ignore them.
    I'm in Charlotte also.
     
  8. Redtwin

    Redtwin Road Train Member

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    Keeps the right lane open for construction vehicles to enter and exit the highway from the work zones. On some roads the overpasses are arched and there is significantly less clearance the closer you are to the right shoulder.
     
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  9. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    I just want to know why they put those signs right by signs that say 'slower traffic keep right'. It's confusing. ;)
     
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  10. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    Most of the times it's because of a "shoulder drop off"...
     
  11. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Some construction workers are former mega drivers so they want to other mega drivers that left lane feeling without getting a ticket
     
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