No Love For Truckers

As a former "road warrior", or Professional Driver, I saw many things on North America's interstates and highways that made me ask, "what in the world are they thinking?" Most of the time, I was referring to the many other motorists (the technical trucker term is "four-wheelers") that obviously had no idea of how dangerous their driving habits are while maneuvering around tractor- trailers, and in other cases, …those hot- headed “super truckers” that drive recklessly. Sure, I know, –you are an exceptional driver, and everyone else out there are idiots that need to get off the road, right. I’m sure that every driver has mentally made this comment at some time in their life.

Now, this hub isn't meant to bash all non- drivers of big trucks, nor is it meant to defend the actions of reckless professional drivers, …–rather to educate people on how to safely drive around trucks, and recognize dangerous situations while traveling.

Hopefully, this hub will shed some light into why truck drivers drive the way that they do.

On the contrary, most professional drivers prefer to share the road. Of course, there are those instances when a driver is obviously driving aggressively, …you know, when you look up in the rear- view and see 80,000lbs of steel, barreling down the road, right on your bumper. I know this scares most motorists, and enrages others.

In these cases, the first thing to do should be to check your speed. –DO NOT SLAM ON BRAKES! …This will definitely increase the chances of causing an accident, –just because you decide to take it upon yourself to “teach” someone a lesson. Even if the driver doesn’t hit you …when a driver of a tractor- trailer slams on his brakes, it’s almost guaranteed that the truck will jack- knife …resulting in someone getting hurt. MAINTAIN YOUR CURRENT SPEED.

Second, check your side mirrors to see if there is a reason that the following driver cannot safely make a lane change. I’ve seen many instances where the driver being followed notices that they are indeed traveling a bit under the speed limit, step on the gas a little to widen the following distance, and then slow back down. –A few minutes later, they’re wondering why this trucker is right back on their bumper.

Most trucks, especially if it’s a large company- owned truck like Swift, JB Hunt, or Wal-Mart can only travel at a predetermined speed. The reason for this is a gadget inside of the trucks engine called a “governor”.  The governor restricts a truck from going over that predetermined speed. And since most professional drivers use cruise control, they’re usually going as fast as they can go. WHEN THEY CAN SAFELY CHANGE LANES, THEY WILL. Keep in mind that you have to give the driver of the tractor trailer some time to check all of his/her mirrors, and make sure that the lane is actually clear before they actually attempt the lane change. Often times, an impatient driver will pull out from behind the trailer and pull along side the truck, obstructing the lane. –And when one does it, the rest follow.

I’m sure many motorists have seen the sign, “If you can’t see my mirrors, …I can’t see you”. This usually holds true if you are traveling directly behind the truck. NEVER assume that a truck driver can see you just because you can see his/ her mirrors.

Truck drivers use what are called spot mirrors, the convex mirrors usually on the front of the truck, to see most of their blind spots, but there are areas that just don’t allow the driver to see what’s there.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has adopted the name “NO ZONE” for all blind spots on commercial vehicles.

The two largest blind spots are directly behind the truck, and pretty much the entire length of the right side of the truck. Passing a truck on the right side is practically suicide.

The best thing to do when passing a truck is to do it safely and quickly. The longer you stay in the vicinity of a big rig, the more in danger you are.

When making right hand turns, a truck driver has to “set up” to perform the turn safely without running over the side walk, or damaging light poles, or any other traffic signs. Sometimes, cars get caught in what is often called "the right side squeeze". This occurs when the driver of a car attempts to pass a truck on the right hand side, at the same time the truck driver is making a right hand turn. Truck drivers have to perform what is called a “button hook” turn to safely complete a right hand turn. Always be aware of a tractor- trailers turn signals. Use caution and give the driver plenty of space to operate the vehicle safely.

Figure A, shows the wheel tracking of a driver that didn’t have enough time or space to set up for the right hand turn. Usually, the on-coming traffic has to back up to give the trucker room to make the turn. Figure B, shows the wheel tracking of a driver that was well prepared to make a right hand turn. Unfortunately, sometimes impatient drivers following trucks are confused on what the truck driver is actually trying to do, and rush in on the right hand side trying to make their turn. Since the trucker can’t see them, he/ she continues with their turn, and the trailer tracks/ squeezes, or closes the space on the impatient driver trying to pass on the right. …An accident every time.

The main thing is to remember to be considerate of all drivers. I have family out there traveling the roads, as do you. A reckless driver can change the lives of many in a few seconds. The destination that you are trying to get to, -just won't be that important if you never make it there. Be safe out there!