why are trucks driving in the middle lane(s)?

I run the middle lane most of the time because the geniuses that design the roads for some unknown reason like to randomly make the right lane an exit lane. And 4 wheelers, again, for some perverse reason, cannot and / or will not let a truck move over to escape the suddenly exiting lane.
If I am unfamiliar with the area I'm even more prone to stay out of the right lane for that very reason.
Used to be the right lane was the right lane and you could stay in it all the way through the city. No longer the case.

 

Maybe you should look up from your cell phone and you would see all those signs saying right lane may exit in PLENTY of time to safely merge over. There is nothing random about it and every one is marked plenty far enough back to allow is to merge to the left.

 

Lol. If I looked up from my cell phone I'd be looking at the roof of my truck as it's kept in a bracket above the windshield.
If one is familiar with an area then you are right, there is nothing random about it. Not the case if the area is unfamiliar.
Statically, lane changing is one of the more dangerous moves to make for a large vehicle so I prefer to pick a lane, stay in it and run with the flow of traffic rather than weave back and forth.
I go with the traffic flow, if you want to go faster, by all means, jump out in the hammer lane and go around. I'll give you a wave as you go by, and another wave when I pass you by on down the road.
Since I'm running with the flow of traffic it's a good bet that we're already cruising over the speed limit so by passing me you are already speeding, passing in a truck restricted lane shouldn't matter to you, just another citation risk.

 

I am NOT a truck driver but I AM concerned with how little respect you seem to have for the drivers, industry and THEIR well being. What you described seems to be them looking out for EVERY vehicle on the highway. Until you have driven that truck, you have no idea what they have to deal with on a daily basis.

Yes, they are the reason you have clothes, food and pretty much every other necessity/want. That does mean they have earned respect. Their ability to do their job depends on every aspect of that roadway. I drive a Honda Pilot down the freeway and EVERY SINGLE trip I get at least 1 person who thinks their time is more important than everyone else's. To indicate that a few have spoiled it for everyone, not true. Simply, it translates to the truck drivers being vigilant for EVERYONE and their safety.

Give yourself more time to get to work rather than to personally attack an entire industry of hard working people who are doing what is best for everyone's safety.

 

#### old thread and I don't know what is going on ^^ up there but I run that middle baby!! The only time I am moving is in low traffic and quality road.....or if it is no trucks left lane then I will move over. But if it IS trucks allowed in the left lane then just go ahead and pass me!

 

Most brains of people driving 4 wheelers cant think that far ahead of their decisions to cut off a truck. All it would take is, as they are cutting over they cut a tire and lose control right in your trucks path . Yeah I'm convinced most these idiots are suicidal in their cars and I don't know where that started ? Like it's the cool thing to drive like a d*ck around a truck or something.

 

Well just last week i had a tire let go on trailer and guess what ??? All the pieces showered the cars tucked up close to me and running near my trailer corner. Needless to say some actually got damage from just one tire blowing. Luckily no one wrecked but it's why u dont tailgate a tractor trailer. You never know what may fly out from under.

 

In congested areas with lots of on and off ramps, it is sometimes dangerous to be in the rightmost lane. One of the most dangerous maneuvers a truck can make is a lane change in heavy traffic, so many of us try to avoid being forced to change lanes because the drivers in smaller vehicles never learned that it is their responsibility to merge, and will crowd trucks to force us to move over or run them over.

Some cities also have a large number of 'exit only' lanes with poor signage warning of the impending lane changes, so drivers who do not know a certain city well, will frequently avoid the rightmost lane to be sure to avoid being trapped into turning onto an exit they don't want to take.

 

Clearly, you have not driven a truck OTR, or have very little time doing so. I have 2+ years driving OTR now, and I have run into some extremely poorly marked interchanges. Especially, but not limited to, construction zones.

Most drivers, when you see us in lanes other than the far right lane, are avoiding the rightmost lane for safety reasons. We aren't intentionally trying to make you late for work, we're trying to keep from getting into situations where people can easily die.

 

once you get a little more experience you will learn to look ahead down the road instead of directly in front of your bumper.