I've been driving a governed truck for the last 10 years. I've noticed here in the last year a lot of you guys are driving slower, either by choice, or because your company decided to turn your trucks down. Well, I have a bone to pick with some of you. It's no secret that basic manners have seem to have gone out the window, and heck, I'll probably even get flamed for this post, but here it goes anyway. I'm governed at 62 mph. (Yep, I drive for everyone's FAVORITE trucking company out of NW Arkansas.) For years now 99% of the drivers that drove governed trucks got along great with one another. If I'm driving at my top speed in a 65 mph zone and a Roadway truck comes around me, I know he's governed, so I back out of the throttle, let him come on around, give him a friendly flash, he comes back in front of me, then I bring it back up to my cruising speed and everyone is happy. In the past, if I passed another governed truck, they almost always gave me the same courtesy. We all knew we were governed with one or two MPH difference, so we backed out of the throttle, let the faster truck come on around, everyone was happy.
Obviously, the point of this post is, that courtesy seems to have vanished. Why? These days I'll come up one of these trucks that their companies just turned them down (yeah I mean you Celadon!) driving down the road 60 mph. When I come up on him, I have two choices. Back out of it and drive 59 mph for the rest of my trip, or pass him, which SHOULD be a quick and painless maneuver, but it rarely is these days. No, I'll get in the left hand lane. Ten miles later, my passenger door is even with his rear tandems. Another ten miles down the road, we are neck and neck. I look over, he's looking straight ahead, oblivious to the fact that I'm beside him, and the long line of traffic behind me losing their minds. In my mirrors, I have an super trucker in a Peterbilt two inches off my ICC bumper calling me everything but a white man. Mr. Steering Wheel Holder doesn't have his radio on. I give the horn a tug, he finally looks over, smiles, then waves, and goes back to his fixed stare straight ahead. Ten more miles tick by, I'm making progress! Now my tandems are even with his driver doors. Peterbilt guy is fuming mad now...what does he want me to do, slam on the brakes? I can't get it going any faster....5 more miles click by. Dang it, I think I can get this thing over without clipping his hood, not sure though, let's give it a few more....Ok....Got it!
Now the real fun starts. I get to watch the ten mile parade of traffic go by, all of them flipping me the bird. Yeah, I'm the jerk.
Driving a Governed Truck Etiquette 101
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by MrMustard, Feb 21, 2009.
Page 1 of 21
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I guess a couple of things could happen when your jammed up and can't get around a slow truck. Ease off of the throttle and at the same time flip your right turn signal on. It speeds up the others sooner. Although the one riding your bumper might get a little upset or you might also have to deal with the person who moves in beside you to hang ya out to dry! Yes I have witnessed this done by trucks first hand.
Move to the right as soon as you can and take the next exit or rest area. Let them pass. The knuckle head that won't let you around isn't going to give and someone needs to.
Had a truck pass me a couple of weeks ago on a good downhill. He passes me and I am rolling around 72mph, then cuts right back in front of me and puts on his brakes
. Not sure what that was all about. There wasn't anyone behind him, so, then I'm pulling 40k up the other side with no momentum.
I drive a 65mph truck. The stories could go on and on about things that have happened. Guess my 2 cents. Communication and knowing when and how to rectify the situation. Be safe out there.Raiderfanatic and blairandgretchen Thank this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 21