"slow" truck passing ettiquette
 

I started driving only 4 years ago, but somtimes I really feel like an "old timer"... remembering the good ole days when I was RARELY left out in the hammer lane while attempting to pass a slightly slower truck.

In the past 6 months, this has been, at minimum, a weekly occurence.

If I had to venture a guess, I'd say at least 50% of the trucks out there are governed between 63-66... so there are constantly going to be passing "battles".

Drivers, If you are paying any attention at all, you should notice a truck that has been following and/or trying to pass you for a few minutes. If you look back and notice that the truck is a little quicker than you, but having some difficulty getting around you, SLOW THE F**K DOWN. Turn off your cruise control for 3 seconds, and get your speed back up once you have allowed the other guy to pass. Not doing this is a blatant display of ignorance and stupidity. It is also a poor reflection on your company... And yes, I have and will continue to report drivers who do this to their safety department.

Also, I've heard plenty of real "old timers" losing their minds to anyone who will listen or comiserate on the CB about the "idiot" in the passing lane, all the while completely letting the other guy off the hook.

Last week in FL heading north from Gainesville, I had 6 faster trucks stacked up behind me while it took about 10 minutes to pass a Fed-EX daycab. The first guy who got around me literally tried to kill me, swerving his trailer in front of me with inches to spare. And just in case you're wondering... when I pulled out to pass, it was completely flat and there was nothing approaching me on the horizon in my mirrors.

I might be preaching to the choir here... but, if I can only change one person's mind it is worth it to me. This is just common sense/courtesy in my world... AND it was actively taught in truck school when I went through it. This isn't a race and you aren't any less of a "man" by letting someone pass you.

I agree it would be nice if the slower truck did let you by but that just doesn't happen. It's not even a 65mph to 66mph case. It's a 65 to 65.3 case. If you have a full MPH over someone your gonna be able to get by them in a decent amount of time. It's when the difference is a fraction that there's a problem. I gave up long ago getting stressed out trying to pass another governed truck. If I catch up to a truck going a fraction slower than me I just hit my cruise button and slow down 1 mph. Chances are if I have a light load I'll be able to overtake him going up the next hill and if I have a heavy load I might be able to pass them going down the next hill. If it's flat land I just slow down 1 mph. What am I going to lose, 1 minute for every hour I stay behind them. I stop every 3 or 4 hours to take a break. So I risk losing 3 or 4 minutes staying behind them over stressing out trying to pass them. Big deal.

As for reporting the other drivers to their safety department that's just dumb. They're just cruising down the road in the right lane where their supposed to be minding their own business. It's up to you to decide if you can safely pass them in a timely matter. It's not their problem you don't have a fast enough truck to pass them. Yeah maybe it would be nice if they let you by but they're aren't required too. They're not doing anything illegal, you are by blocking the left lane and disrupting the flow of traffic or even worse blocking an emergency vehicle.

Hey TK I agree with most of what you are saying, so let me clarify

Yes, it is usually a matter of .1 mph. And yes, just slowing down yourself is also an option.

But, It is not always possible to gauge the amount of time required to pass, and what is acceptable in terms of the given traffic situation... you can only make an educated guess sometimes.

What i'm getting at here, Is that willfull ignorance in the right hand lane is no excuse.

A driver left to "mind their own business" in this situation is much more on the steering-wheel holder end of the spectrum, then a "professional driver" always paying attention to, and evaluating and reacting to any given situation on the road.

It's also "willfull ignorance" to hang out in the left lane trying to pass a truck that's going the same speed! Why don't you back off a little instead of expecting the other guy to do so? Why not hang back there and wait for a hill? I see this every day also and many times I drop my cruise down for a second and it's nice when the other guy returns the favor BUT it's not mandatory nor expected. If you don't have enough ommph to pass stay in the right lane.

Very well said!!!

I was on I-55 in Missori the other day (might have still been in Arkansas). I was coming up on an entrance ramp with a truck coming onto the interstate. There was no traffic beside or behind me, so I did the polite thing to do and moved into the left lane to allow him to enter. I got to roughly 1/2 way past his truck when our governed trucks met. I was just barely faster than him, but he decided to not back off and let me in. So, I now have cars and trucks coming up behind me. Great. But, it gets better.

I see a sign for a weigh-station 1 mile ahead. By now I'm at least 3/4 way past the other truck. I turn my turn signal on, hoping the guy would see the signals, see the sign and put 2 and 2 together. Nope. He stayed right there. So, I ended up having to slow WAY down in the hammer lane to get in behind the moron. Luckily the truck behind him was paying attention and he backed off.

There's just plain out NO respect for other drivers any more.

Should I just stay in the granny lane no matter if there is a truck getting on the interstate, even though there's no other vehicles around me at the time? Well, that's what I'm going to do from now on. Screw everyone else - I'm tired of having it done to me.

That really sux Mal. I usually have a problem with cars doing it to me, not trucks. The only ramps I move over for are the one's that have slow entries due to the design of it. All others I keep it in the right lane, I have the right of way, they have the yield don't like it, tough cookies.

Unless I come up to a truck that is doing 5 less than me, I will stay put behind that truck. If they are running 5 less than me then I'm pulling out and passing them. I had 2 trucks last Friday night pulling a hill in WV, both were loaded and both could pull it pretty much the exact same, 25 mph. 2nd in line decides he's Billy Big Rig and pulls out to pass, nevermind the traffic coming up behind him in the dark at 70-75+ while both are doing 25. They had both lanes blocked up and it wasn't until 3 miles later that BBR finally got clear on his pass. A real moron move on a hill blocking both lanes.

Yeah I agree with these guys why don't you just slow down, you'll burn less fuel, and the other driver won't burn extra fuel slowing down and then speeding back up.

I try to move on to the shoulder, and let a faster truck pass me, as long as it's on flat ground so I can see the gators, or whatever else might be on the shoulder..
and of course, I always duck my head.
(I never thought I'd see the day that I would get my doors blown off by a Joe Bob or a Swift truck :hellno:)



If I ever catch up to anyone, and I don't think I can pull it off in a matter of no-time, I'll back out of it until I can get on around them.

If I get stuck in a pack of trucks or behind a rig it'll take all day to go around...I'll usually stop at a rest area/service plaza and take a break.
By the time I get rolling again, it's clear sailing and full speed ahead.

Funny thing about most drivers is that they won't back off and let another guy around (which might cost them 20 seconds or so) but they'll sit in a dock for hours at shippers/receivers making no money.

It's just the nature of the truckerman...stupid is as stupid does.

If I were in a truck that didn't have enough speed to get around another truck I would just sit back behind the other truck. I don't understand the big deal about going around a truck where you need to take all day to do it. The truck being passed has no obligation to slow down so that you can pass,although I have slowed to allow a truck that was impeding traffic flow to go in front of me. I would not blame the guy being passed but the one who was passing when he didn't have enough speed to do it. So you need to sit behind a truck that is perhaps 1 mile per hour slower? It will make little or no difference in the time it takes to get to your destination.

It's even more fun when you come up on an idiot that can't maintain a certain speed. First, they slow down so you start to pass them. Just as you get beside them, they speed up to match your speed. You slow back down, get back behind them. The process then repeats over and over and over and over. I'm not talking about driving in the hills/mountains. I'm talking about across west texas on i-20 where you can see 50 miles from your seat.

That gets real annoying

My truck is governed at 66mph. So if I want to pass, I consider how much weight in the box, up or down hill and weather conditions.

if a truck has to slow down to let you pass, then you have no business passing!! you are a freaking moron, go ahead, report him, I'm sure his safety man will fire him for not slowing down and allowing your dumb ass to pass. you say you have been driving for 4 years? if you are still this ignorant after that time, you should get into another profession, maybe you could be a cop and give tickets to all the truckers who dont slow down when idiots try to pass them
tomorrow, I will tell you how I really feel
p.s GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE STUPID!!

I was going to give my opinion but Fredog pretty much summed it up! But what happened to Mal really ticks me off. If I move over for a big truck to get on I expect him to let me have my lane back and then he can do whatever he wants. Dont pace me and leave me hanging out here.

I agree

I've had several of these things happen to me. First of all my truck is limited to 65 mph due to Ontario, yet I run 60. So I rarely have a problem passing anyone since I don't run at the limiter. The first that's happened to me is the variable speed, people somehow like to speed up when they're getting passed. I didn't drop out of the atmosphere buddy, I've been catching you for quite a while.

The second instance where I'm "hanging" in the left lane is when I allow someone to merge and they simply stay right beside me. Now if the hammer lane is open you bet your bottom dollar I'm moving over. It's not just common courtesy, I'm saving my ass. The safety department doesn't give a rats ass who has the right of way or who is at fault. Any accident in this situation would be preventable. You could've moved over but you didn't. That's why I move over.

I find in both situations either slowing down and getting behind the person works, or sometimes there will be traffic behind them and that won't be an option. Then the only option is to simply put on your right turn signal. Hey buddy, I want over! Communication is key.

we need more drivers like you and less like the original poster

I do not drive a truck that is speed limited, but I can tell you that you will rarely see me going over 60mph........
for starters it is just as you stated, most trucks are goverened at 63-66mph and I have found it is just easier to let them pass me than me have to leep skipping around them.

Second, the difference between going 65mph and 60mph is litterally NOTHING in the big picture. Unless you are traveling 700 miles NON-STOP then you will arrive say 20-30min before the guy going 60mph. Now I know most you guys in this forum don't have to pay for fuel, but that extra 5mph is also costing you .5mpg, which calculated can avg between $300-$400 a week.

Lastly, you ALL need to realize that everyday some new A-HOLE just got a license, weither it be a 4wheeler or a CDL, and they all are always in a big hurry to go nowhere.

So just sit back and enjoy the ride........ things could be worse, you could be stuck in a cubicle typing on a computer for an endless and thankless job like the other 70% of the country.

So if it takes 10 minutes to pass it will take a couple of hours before you even get out of sight, like what are you gaining by passing him?

I drive a slow truck and get 'passed' like that quite often. If someone's coming up behind themI always back off but I really wonder what they think they are gaining with that extra 0.1 mph. Even if noone is coming up I'll back off anyway as they usually cut back in way too soon for my liking.

I've also got stuck out in the hammer lane but it doesn't happen often. I have been known to back off to let the merging truck in instead of moving over depending on the situation. But yeah, nothing like getting stuck out there.

Oh come on.... you know it means the world to him!!!!!

Guy is just as bad as a 4-wheeler. Even at the 0.2mph difference, by the time he drives for 2 more hours and stops to get fuel, the fed-ex day cab will be passing right back by him as he is going up the off ramp.

Sad what these guys do thinking they are making better time.

what about the 4 wheeler that is a mile behind you, you move over to pass, then he speeds up, gets right on your ass and keeps going back and forth to let you know he has to go, you get back over and then the 4 wheeler takes 5 miles to pass you

My personal favorite (seems to be an Illinois thing) is when the 4-wheeler comes racing up behind you as you are passing a truck and flashes his headlights at you to move quicker, he has to GO!!!
I always just pace next to the truck I'm passing and leave the 4-wheeler there for a few miles, then when he goes by I blow him kisses as he flips me off.... it really pisses them off.

I usually just grab another beer out of the fridge and keep on truckin..... :cool: :o :o :o

I guess I'm cut from a little different cloth.
I enjoy people hanging on the side of my doors...
only I think they get a little spooked by my examination.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...d10/100526.jpg

Has anyone else noticed that the O.P hasn't been back on this thread? I guess he got put in his place by the "Old timers" here! :lol:

I guess we've all been preaching to the choir, as MOST of us here have similar feelings about this "slow pass" thingie.

I actually was on his side through the first half of his post. But, he lost me when he mentioned taking 10 minutes to pass another truck .... with a line of faster trucks behind him! :eek2::roll:

He's somewhat right that MOST trucks out there are governed between 60 and 67 mph. (slight adjustment to his figures.) ANY truck that can do 70 in a 70 mph zone should be given some room! Nothing more agravating than NOT being allowed to do the speed limit!

My current truck USED to be able to do 70. Now (through the stupidity of the volvo mechanics,) it will top out at 67. This puts me in the position of having to "manage" my position on the road every minute of my day! I am faster and lighter than MOST trucks on the road, but not ALL of them.

A good portion of my "daily" route is a 3-lane highway. I try to spend most of my time in that MIDDLE lane! I do this for many reasons. Mostly, I find that the 4wheelers behind me that SEEM to want me to move over will, if allowed the chance, just pull up beside me (if I move to the right) and MATCH my speed! Within a few minutes, either they run me into the back of a SLOWER truck or 4wheeler, OR into a dozen cars or trucks coming down the ON ramp in the right lane! I don't PLAY that game!

They have a "fast lane" to my left, OR they can pass me on the right and get GONE before the next on-ramp! That is THEIR responsibility. I am not breaking any laws, and "I" have a job to do!

But, I always keep my eyes on my mirrors! IF a faster truck is coming up behind me, and I'm sure he can pass me before I hit that "merging traffic," I will move over! IF he is just BARELY gaining ground on me, and I KNOW there are hazardous conditions ahead (the onramps or a CRETE truck...) I will hold my ground and MAKE him pass me on the right! Hey.... I was here FIRST!

When I get into the "hills," I ADJUST my attitude and my positon. At this point, it is usually only TWO lanes, and I try to accomodate as much as I can.... for both trucks AND 4wheelers! At this point, WEIGHT and power becomes a major issue.

SOME cars just like to ride my bumper because they THINK I have a CB and know where the cops are! They learn or they stay behind me! I am NOT going to let them box me into the slow lane! Who KNOWS what THEY are doing on the road that day? "I" am WORKING!

But, I have slowed down to let another truck pass if I thought he was really faster or lighter and can get ahead of me without delaying me! I am HAPPY to do it! I try to do the same for 4wheelers any time I can!

But, there is NO WAY I'll try to pass a truck if it will take me more than a minute or so, OR that by doing so, I will stack up a line of 4wheelers behind me for an extended time! And NEVER if it holds up a truck.... let alone a LINE of trucks.... for more than a minute!

If a car is hanging on my left back bumper? I give him a couple blasts of my left blinker. MOST of them "get it," and speed on by me and get out of my way!
Whether I am actually going to pass someone or not is immaterial! I just want them OUT OF MY WAY! I need an "out" in case things get hairy quickly, and/or I just want a clear passing lane before I catch up to that slower vehicle ahead of me!

I've told you before.... I am ON THE JOB the whole day! The ONLY thing that bothers me MORE than being held up by a slower vehicle, is for ME to be the one holding up a line of faster vehicles!

The O.P. hasn't learned a DAMM thing in 4 years if he can honesly say he's held up a truck train and wants to blame it on the driver to his right who he hasn't got the "juice" to pass!

I have "backed off" many times when I was IN the passing lane and "fallen behind" a slower truck when I realized I didn't have the power or the cargo to allow me to pass him QUICKLY!

I ain't no "oldtimer," but I try my best to remember that I am supposed to be a PROFESSIONAL driver!

The slower truck should back out of it to let the minorly faster truck slide over, you cannot expect a faster truck to go below the governed speed and smell you exhaust all day. Courtesy would mean looking out for all of us, so back out of it for 20 secs and let the doode pass. 4wheelers and faster trucks get pissed when we do these races, so in the interest of all our safety lets try to minimize the passing time. Malaki and others that say "why should i when i may get screwed for it" This kind of attitude is understandable but is exactly why the level of courtesy among pros is dropping. There's always gonna be *******s, idiots and people that plain dont pay attention out there, thats no reason to get unfriendly and courteous. Don't get your blood pressure up boys. Enjoy the ride or change jobs.

I got hung out there on the left tonight. Nice guy I am I see a truck coming down the on ramp and I move over to the left, what's he do? Yep steps on it and just paces me, there wasn't anybody behind me so I hung there awhile figuring I'd take him on the hill that's coming nope no luck. I ended up backing off and I'd swear he backed off too! WHAT A JERK!
While I'm ranting here whats with all the *****holes and the high beams? I have mirrors on my truck and I use them why do so many drivers flash me in with the high beams?? IF YOU CAN'T BLINK YOUR HEADLIGHTS OFF DON'T DO ANY THING AT ALL!!!!!!!!
Thank you, rants over

Golf hobo CLAIMS to be a fedex driver, but not once during his entire post did he mention holding a cell phone to his left ear, I think he is an imposter

+1 to this post. If you have the truck beat by .1 mph you should just back off beating them by .2 mph only gives you 2 more miles at the end of the day. How is it acceptable for 1st truck going 63 2nd truck going 63.5 to hold up any traffic that can go the speed limit? My truck is not governed and I get annoyed when they do it out west when the speed limit is 75. Find a company that don't govern their trucks or stay in the right lane!!

HAHA.... I have to agree, and I swear those Fed-Ex drivers must have expensive wives cuz for some reason not a single one of them can buy a bluetooth headset LOL

I seen this truck on I-94 heading into Michigan, laughed my ass off.

Fredog said:

I don't HAVE a wife of any kind. But... I DO have a bluetooth headset! :lol2:

Of course, I don't USE it much. Cuz I don't have any friends to talk to! :cry:

Like I said.... I am ON THE JOB pretty much all day! That's what I get PAID for, and that's why I will never be on here asking who will hire someone with a preventable on his record! ;)

I agree with your post most of the way, and even though I don't "high beam" someone over these trucks today seem to auto turn on your lights when you are in gear. It can suck. so get upset but they are just trying to be nice.

If you are literally a fraction of one mile per hour faster than me and are hell-bent on passing, then you are a moron, among other less flattering things. By your logic, I should drive 90mph because my truck has that capability. It takes fuel to slow down and speed up... that's why we have cruise control. But for me to slow down to let some jackass determined to get every last tenth of a mile per hour from his (or her) truck and me having to pay the price literally from my pocket… that is unreasonable.

And to add to what others have said on the subject of merging trucks hanging you out in the left lane after you have moved over to let them on… they should all be shot.

I was thinking about it today, those guys who try to pass and just stay there beside you in the left lane could be causing a safety hazard. Think about it, your driving along truck or 4wheeler beside you at almost the same speed, then something comes out of nowhere like boken down car or a piece of metal ready blow your steer tire and you can't move because somebody's already there.

I've often thought about that. Of course since they have a 4 wheeler mentality I'm less likely to get REALY upset with them. I just let out a chuckle, wonder why they try and pass since the truck intimidates them so bad they have to hang around my corner and not pass, then I back off the fuel for a few secs and force thier hand, they have no choice but to pass. amazingly, when they get over 1/2 the way past me they must be gunning it to get around me. I meen seriously, if your going to pass someone, pass them.

Maybe a husband??? Hehe