Why do truckers cut people off?

[Johnny L.A.]

I see this all the time on a long drive. I'll be on cruise control overtaking a couple of trucks. There's no one behind me. Just as I get to the back end of the rear truck, he decides to change lanes to pass the truck in front of him. I have to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision. If he would stay put for another ten or twenty seconds, I'll be past him; but no. He has to change lanes right now, in front of an overtaking vehicle. After braking hard, I'm stuck behind him for a long period as he creeps past the other truck.

Now, I know that trucks don't accellerate very well. I know that they want to conserve their momentum. But this is just rude. Are they not paying attention? Do they think it's funny to make people stomp on their brakes, something to break up the monotony of a long haul? If it happened rarely, I could understand that the driver may have had a brainfart; but since it happens so often, I think there might be something else afoot.

On a little tangent: I see signs on some trucks that say, 'This truck pays $xx,xxx in road taxes.' Is that supposed to justify their driving habits? 'We pay five figures in taxes, so we really do own the road!'? Hey, they're on the road for commercial purposes. They should be taxed. Not only that, but heavy trucks damage roads much more than a light passenger car. If you don't believe me, try driving in the right lanes of the 5 south of downtown Los Angeles. Roads need to be maintained, and heavily laden trucks cause the most damage. Therefore, they should be taxed to help defray the costs of the damage they cause.

But I'd really like to know why some truckers (note: 'some' -- I've seen some very coureous drivers as well) feel the need to cause a dangerous situation by pulling out in front of overtaking traffic at the last second.

[stpauler]

Originally Posted by Johnny L.A.

I see this all the time on a long drive. I'll be on cruise control overtaking a couple of trucks. There's no one behind me. Just as I get to the back end of the rear truck, he decides to change lanes to pass the truck in front of him. I have to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision. If he would stay put for another ten or twenty seconds, I'll be past him; but no. He has to change lanes right now, in front of an overtaking vehicle. After braking hard, I'm stuck behind him for a long period as he creeps past the other truck .

Wouldn't that be the semi's blindspots that you're driving in? Are you flashing your brights to let them know you're passing them?

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by stpauler

Wouldn't that be the semi's blindspots that you're driving in? Are you flashing your brights to let them know you're passing them?

No, I can see the driver in the side-view mirrors; both the flat one, and the convex one.

[Lips_Obsession]

*SOME* truck drivers are just plain nutjobs. I had one follow me HOME one time. He thought I cut him off or something, so he kept getting right on my rear bumper. Followed me off my exit ramp and into the parking lot of a shopping center. I knew by then it wasn't a coincidence. So I started circling the parking lot, and he followed along. Knowing he couldn't make sharp turns with the truck, I started going up and down the aisles. He eventually parked the truck, jumped out of the cab, and started running after my car like a madman. I imagine he was hopped up on speed or crack or something.

I suspect he'd had a lot of complaints, as he had one of those stickers about "Call about my Driving" but the numbers were scratched off so you wouldn't know where to call.

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by Lips_Obsession

*SOME* truck drivers are just plain nutjobs. I had one follow me HOME one time. He thought I cut him off or something, so he kept getting right on my rear bumper.

Duel.

[Scumpup]

You give yourself too much credit in thinking he noticed you enough to want to deliberately screw with you. IME, truckers on the interstates just don't acknowledge the existance of any vehicles smaller than their own.

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by Scumpup

You give yourself too much credit in thinking he noticed you enough to want to deliberately screw with you. IME, truckers on the interstates just don't acknowledge the existance of any vehicles smaller than their own.

You know? I have the same problem on the motorcycle. But I expect car drivers to be clueless; truckers are supposed to be professionals. (Don't they have to have a DoT license, just like a pilot?)

[Scumpup]

Yes, they do have commercial driver's licenses which are subject to stricter laws than regular ones. However, they spend so much time on the interstates that truckers have come to have an almost proprietarial attitude about those roadways.

[Harmonix]

Nothing much to add, just chiming in that yea, it happens to me all the time too and thanks for reminding me. I'm driving down the 5 tonight back to L.a

[Philster]

Because cars ride so close to eachother that you have no choice but to cut off someone when no one leaves the proper distance. Additionally, no one wants to yield and get 'stuck behind a truck'.

When a truck does it, it is big time noticeable and just on a grander scale - and people rememeber it. But anyone who drives in regular traffic knows that you almost have to cut someone off each day because no one will give you room to merge or make a simple lane change.


Even the 'safe' distances people leave between themselves and the car in front are woefully short. Rarely is there 2 car lengths so that someone else can make a safe lane change.

[CynicalGabe]

Originally Posted by Johnny L.A.

But I'd really like to know why some truckers (note: 'some' -- I've seen some very coureous drivers as well) feel the need to cause a dangerous situation by pulling out in front of overtaking traffic at the last second.

I blame the demon-posessed hellspawn that drive large trucks )not a generalization, no matter how much it may sound like one). I had a logging truck hit me onetime because he was driving on the wrong side of the road. Not only did he not have insurance, he wasn't even properly licensed (California Class C - you need an A).

Originally Posted by Scumpup

IME, truckers on the interstates just don't acknowledge the existance of any vehicles smaller than their own.

[Trucker]
What are these "smaller vehicles" of which you speak?
[/Trucker]

[35340]

Originally Posted by stpauler

Wouldn't that be the semi's blindspots that you're driving in? Are you flashing your brights to let them know you're passing them?

In the state of Florida you can be ticketed for flashing your lights at people. Buddy just got a ticket for it the other day.

[chique]

Originally Posted by Philster

<snip>

What he said. I spent a few days in a truck about a year ago. How those guys do what they do without going postal is beyond me. I think I'd last about four days before I drove over someone's Toyota. Those of us in four-wheelers are freakin' idiots.

[HanoNymus]

There's something really wrong with some truckers. I've been in the situation described in the OP more times than I care to remember. But I've had much worse.
I was once driving on a three lane highway at 3 AM. I was doing maybe 80mph. And I get behind a largish group of trucks, distributed on all of the lanes. I started to negotiate a slalom between them to pass the caravan. So they "regrouped" and caught me in a box. There I was, at 90 mph, stuck between four "walls" of trucks. I nearly freaked out (try and imagine the situation). Luckily, my car is pretty sporty and at some point I caught a small opening when the truck on my right decelerated slightly. I floored it, and took off like a bat out of hell through that opening (the car fit within a couple of inches or so). I kept flooring it until I could not see their headlights in the rearview mirror anymore. Believe it or not, at that time I was wishing a cop would appear even though I was doing... well, a lot.

[CynicalGabe]

The truckers were also doing 90?? I seem to remember a posted speed limit of 55 for trucks on most highways I drive. I'm sure they were opating totally within the limits of the law.

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by Philster

Because cars ride so close to eachother that you have no choice but to cut off someone when no one leaves the proper distance.

Except that in most cases there is no one close in front of me or behind me.

[Harmonix]

[quote=Philster]Because cars ride so close to eachother that you have no choice but to cut off someone when no one leaves the proper distance. Additionally, no one wants to yield and get 'stuck behind a truck'.
[quote]

On the 5 truckers will do this and I literally have no one behind me for over a mile.

[AsecretK]

I always give trucks more space that I give cars and I am often more courteous to them. I see lots of people that will not let trucks pass or merge due to the fact that they are slower. I try to look at it as if I was walking down the street would I take on an elephant? No, I would give him clear distance to do what he has to do in the best possible way as to no inflict harm on myself or them.

I also do the same with people on motorcycles. I have ridden on the back of several and I will tell you it is scary to have a car riding on my ass (literally). When following a motorcycle I am at least 2 car lengths behind them. If god forbid they lose control and bite the rode I do not want to be the person that runs over them with my car because I was following to close.

[MaryEFoo]

OK, there are jerks among truckers as much as anyone, no argument.

But say both trucks are loaded, and lead truck is going 51 mph, and 2nd truck is going 53 mph. 2nd has now crept up to where he can pass, signals and does so. If he waited for you he would have to brake, and later spend the gas to accelerate his weight up to 53 mph again, which he wants to avoid (owner-driver or corporate). He's responsible for himself rather than for you (barring violations).

Johnny, I've like your postings, especially the driving ones, and sympathize with you, but also admit I sympathize with folks who drive for a living.

Here's a fun one. Highway 92 is one-lane-each-way over the Coast Range, with some passing stretches where one of the lanes goes to two for a mile or so. So the rig & trailer takes the right lane of course, the red car behind him takes the left lane, and I'm third in line. Red just perceptibly begins to creep up on the truck. As third I'm hoping for the pass opportunity but it doesn't seem likely. Red is almost to the tractor when the "Lane Ends, Merge Left" sign appears. Red does not accelerate. I'm staying behind the truck as everyone is clearly going to need all the space they can get. Red continues beside the tractor right to where the two lanes pinch off and I'm waiting to see whether Truck steers into Red, Truck hits hillside, or Red panics and brakes the same moment Truck does, when Red gets ahead and it's all OK.

Betcha Johnny doesn't drive like Red, but too many do.

[DeVena]

I've talked to many and many truckers in my day, family and friends, and here's what a lot of them say about this kind of thing.

1. Too many yahoos drive big rigs these days. Freddie loses his job making widgets and decides to hit the road. Freddie doesn't care about anything but getting his load to destination as fast as he can.

2. Trailers are heavily loaded, fuel expensive, trucks not maintained, etc. As the highway miles roll by, many truckers try to hit the brakes as little as possible. Some even make a game of it, a way to stay awake. Less use of brakes means less loss of speed means less fuel used to get up the next hill. Also, many short haul trucks are self maintained. Meaning the less wear on the brakes, the fewer times you have to replace them. Also, fleet tractors: you have a different rig every day. Some good, some bad, and none exactly the same.

3. People are idiots. (Present company excepted.) People don't pay attention or care. More and more people are used to driving around city streets in the Ford Extrusion, or what have you. They are the biggest thing on the road; what can hurt them? "I have the right of way. That trucker should make way for me!" If it's bigger than you, it has the right of way. Period. What good is knowing you have superior driving skills if you have become one with the pavement?

I was taught to never trust a big rig. Drive defensive all the time, but be extra careful with the big ones. Assume that the driver is sleepy, angry or high. Assume you can't be seen. Assume that the rig isn't well maintained and pieces are going to come flying off. Read the situation and avoid conflict. When passing, pass quickly; don't linger beside. Either adjust your speed to stay behind or increase so that you will be well past.

[Tastes of Chocolate]

While I to have had my share of being cut off by truckers, over all they can be some of the most courteous people.

When I was in high school, we took a bus load of kids from Minnesota to South Carolina. We had all of our stuff in a trailer being hauled behind. At one stop, someone got into the trailer, and didn't latch it. We spilled luggage for the next 10 miles down the road, until a trucker behind us got hold of a trucker in front of us, who flagged us down, and then helped us walk back along the road collecting stuff.

And just 2 years ago, I was forced off the highway by another car. I end up hitting a tree down the embankment. I was fine, car was totalled. A trucker immediately stopped, checked to see that I was ok, and offered to take me to the next exit and phone. I had already called, but he stuck around for a couple of minutes and chatted, just to be sure I was ok.

I just wanted to give the other side of the trucker group a fair hearing too.

[Llama Llogophile]

Maybe I just drive in different places than most in this thread, but I have almost never seen the behaviors under discussion from professional drivers.

On the contrary, I've always found truckers to be very courteous. Once when I was U-Hauling myself across the country, I noticed that most helped me change lanes by flashing their lights when I was clear, and that really impressed me. I can't recall ever seeing aggressive driving behavior from a trucker.

I think I'm a pretty good driver, so perhaps I see good stuff because I think when I'm around them. One did blow the horn at me many years ago when I thoughtlessly cut him off, but I would expect that from any driver.

Here's how I think of it: They're professionals, and I'm guessing most know what they're doing. We, the great unwashed driving public, are basically tooling around in their workplace. Which would be fine, except IMHO, Americans as a whole are lousy drivers. So imagine a bunch of morons careening carelessly and recklessly around your workplace all the time. You'd probably get testy too. So maybe these things do happen, and I just don't see them.

I can sort of relate: I'm a flight instructor. Which means I sometimes must deal with idiots doing stupid things in airplanes when I'm trying to work in the same piece of airspace. Frustrating when one is trying to do things right - prides oneself on it in fact, and must put up with people doing it poorly who don't care.

No excuse for rudeness or aggressive behavior of course. But I can relate.

[Sycorax]

This hasn't been my experience. I'm very fond of truckers, especially the 18-wheelers; if they signal they want in, I flash my brights to let them know they can come on over. Most of the time, they "thank" me by flashing all the lights on the rear of the semi. I'm especially fond of them after an experience a few years ago on I-95, headed north, somewhere in the Carolinas. Out of three lanes, the left one was closed due to maintenance work. Well, of course there are those people who wait till the last minute to move over to the through lane, even though there were plenty of warning signs a mile before. But, no, these folks are so important, they figure they can save, oh, 10 seconds or so by staying in the lane that's going to disappear, and then barging into the through lane. Well, two 18-wheelers were tired of this crap. One that had moved to the right and was near the ending lane blocked it; as I watched in my side view mirror, I noticed another move to the lane that was going to end, thereby creating a blocking maneuver. One car that was already in the lane got up to the front of the line, but couldn't get in because of the semi! HaHa. I was wishing I had a big poster and marker to scribble "thank you truckers!" to hold out the window. Sure, there may be truckers who are rude or careless, but it's my experience that there many, many more car drivers who are rude and careless.

Also, remember these guys and gals have CB's and alert each other to cop cars that they see (on the road or lurking behind somelthing); they slow down; so I tend to stay with the truckers, knowing that THEY know where the cops are.

[Carm6773]

Originally Posted by Lips_Obsession

*SOME* truck drivers are just plain nutjobs. I had one follow me HOME one time. He thought I cut him off or something, so he kept getting right on my rear bumper. Followed me off my exit ramp and into the parking lot of a shopping center. I knew by then it wasn't a coincidence. So I started circling the parking lot, and he followed along. Knowing he couldn't make sharp turns with the truck, I started going up and down the aisles. He eventually parked the truck, jumped out of the cab, and started running after my car like a madman. I imagine he was hopped up on speed or crack or something.

I suspect he'd had a lot of complaints, as he had one of those stickers about "Call about my Driving" but the numbers were scratched off so you wouldn't know where to call.

Speaking as a trucker's wife, this guy was WAYYY out of line. Get his plate #, notice was company he's driving for and get his truck #, or give the cops a description of the truck and they can contact the company. Companies want to know when stuff like this happens. The "call about my driving" stickers are usually on all trucks.

As for the cutting off thing, it could be you were in the blind spot. Not all truckers check all their mirrors (even though they are supposed to). Blinking the lights helps signal your intentions. Truckers do have brain farts every now and then (imagine sitting in the same chair for hours upon hours), and sometimes the directions they get are not great (which may explain some of the erratic driving seen on the roads). I am by no means trying to offer excuses. If the cut-off seems deliberate, call the company or the cops.

[JThunder]

Originally Posted by Philster

When a truck does it, it is big time noticeable and just on a grander scale - and people rememeber it. But anyone who drives in regular traffic knows that you almost have to cut someone off each day because no one will give you room to merge or make a simple lane change.

Nonsense. I never cut people off in traffic. Never. If this means that I miss an opportunity to change lanes, then so be it.

[Mr. Miskatonic]

Originally Posted by Sycorax

Sure, there may be truckers who are rude or careless, but it's my experience that there many, many more car drivers who are rude and careless.

That pretty much sums it up.

I'm a bicyclist, I don't drive a car and thus stay off the freeways, but I can honestly say that I have never, ever had a problem with a trucker. They seem to be far more aware of my precence than the car drivers, and they are a lot more couteous about it. Maybe the number of objects to run into in Urban and Suburban roads means they must be fully aware.

[MLS]

My experience is different. Yes, there are exceptions, but if you take into consideration the huge inertia of a moving 18-wheeler, MOST of them are driving quite intelligently IF you are also driving intelligently.

A few years ago I had the misfortune to have to drive from central Pennsylvania to my home in New Jersey on a winter night. It was snowing AND foggy. Interstate 80 was a nightmare. For a good portion of the time most of the vehicles on the road were trucks, and there was no tailgating, signals were used, and lights flashed to indicate "You can change lanes in front of me; I see you." The drive could have been a lot worse. Of course, as soon as I got back in NJ and entered a normal county road winding through the hills, some nutcase in a pickup started tailgating. There was no place to pull off the road and let him by, either.

[Dr_Paprika]

I would not want to be a truck driver. I think most of them probably take more abuse than they give. And most of them seem courteous and professional. However, some of them are plain nutjobs, and I have certainly, and frequently, seen the behaviour described in the OP. I've even basically been run off a winter road by a truck during a severe blizzard.

It's like a streetlight that burns out when you approach it -- you notice the exceptions. When I change lanes to pass, vehicles in front of me often decide to change lanes shortly afterwards (before I've passed, in essence cutting me off). But it happens much more often with cars than trucks. Very rarely, I'll admit to doing this myself. I'll bet you do too.

[racinchikki]

My father's been a trucker my whole life - long-haul when I was a kid, short-haul now.

Separate speed limits for truckers, CynicalGabe? Maybe on some roads, but not on any of the East Coast interstates and major roads I've ever driven on. Actually, wait, I think I was on a highway in Texas where the daytime speed limit was 70, and the nighttime limit was 65, and truckers and school buses were also required to do 65 regardless of time of day. But certainly never 90 vs 55. That would be a traffic hazard, having so much slower-moving traffic.

I've found most truckers to be courteous - if they see me coming down an on-ramp they actually MOVE INTO THE FAR LANE to make room for me, unlike most 4-wheelers, which stay in the near lane, blocking me, because apparently it's a fucking race and it doesn't matter to THEM whether or not I end up at a DEAD STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE because they won't make room for me to get into the actual highway....

The proportion of asshole truckers to good truckers is no different than the proportion of asshole drivers to good drivers, you just notice the asshole truckers because they are bigger.