| These days, trucking companies will let just about | | | | 4. Yield. |
| anyone train a new driver. As a result, there are | | | | If traffic is coming up the entrance ramp, it's their |
| more and more drivers who know less and less | | | | job to yield. But truckers just don't have the |
| about the common courtesies truckers are supposed | | | | get-up-and-go that four wheelers have. So if you see |
| to extend to each other. To combat this problem, | | | | a trucker coming up the entrance ramp, try to help |
| we've come up with a list of trucking rules that used | | | | him or her out. If you can move over a lane to allow |
| to be common knowledge. Maybe if we all start | | | | some space for the trucker to merge into, great. If |
| following them again, we can all just get along! | | | | you will be behind the truck, slow down and let it on. |
| 1. Flash to Pass. | | | | Otherwise, if you have the power to do it, speed up |
| When another driver passes you, it's often hard to | | | | and get out of the way. We understand that you |
| tell from just looking in the mirrors if he or she has | | | | can't always help another driver out in this situation, |
| cleared you yet. It's common courtesy among | | | | but it's common courtesy to do your best. |
| truckers to flash their lights at the passing driver | | | | 5. Backing Up. |
| once he or she has cleared them. This does NOT | | | | In recent years, more and more drivers are honking |
| mean to flash your bright lights if it's night time. It | | | | their air horns before they back up. We suppose it's |
| means you turn your lights on and off a few times. | | | | a good idea in theory, but I doubt the guy trying to |
| If you flash your brights you're liable to temporarily | | | | sleep in the bunk next to you will appreciate it. Some |
| blind the other driver at night. | | | | things you'll definitely want to do when you're |
| 2. Thank You. | | | | backing up are: |
| Whenever the situation calls for it, truckers should | | | | * Get out and look before you back up. |
| say thank you. To do this, you can flash your four | | | | * If other drivers are waiting to get past you, let |
| ways, turn on the opposite turn signal (or do a little | | | | them by if you haven't already started or if you're |
| right turn signal, left turn signal maneuver), or use | | | | taking a while. |
| your marker interrupt switch. Different states have | | | | * Turn on your cb radio- there's a lot of bologna, but |
| different laws and the legality of the thank you | | | | if there's a hazard you can't see, it just might save |
| methods is questionable, but the chances of getting a | | | | you from a claim. |
| ticket are slim. Times to say thank you: | | | | * Roll down your window- if someone blows their air |
| * When another driver lets you over into his or her | | | | horn to warn you of a hazard, you'll be more likely to |
| lane. | | | | hear it. |
| * When another driver flashes his or her lights to let | | | | * Turn on your four way flashers to let other drivers |
| you know you've passed. | | | | know you're backing up. |
| * When another driver says something nice to you | | | | And if you see someone backing up, be patient and |
| on the radio and you can't get to your mic. | | | | wait on him or her. If it's dusk or dark, turn off your |
| * Anytime it would be appropriate to say thank you | | | | head lights so you don't interfere with the other |
| in decent society! | | | | driver's night vision. |
| 3. Move Over. | | | | 6. Double Turn Lanes. |
| If you've ever been broke down on the side of the | | | | Truckers are supposed to turn from the right lane in |
| road, you'll appreciate this one. If you see another | | | | all double turn lanes. That means, in a double (or |
| trucker on the shoulder of the freeway, move over | | | | triple, or quadruple…) left turn lane, we are |
| a lane to allow some space between you if you can. | | | | supposed to turn from the furthest turn lane to the |
| You should do this for anyone who is on the | | | | right. That also means that in a double right turn lane, |
| shoulder- cars, people walking, construction and utility | | | | we're supposed to turn from the furthest turn lane |
| trucks, and definitely for police and rescue- it is even | | | | to the right. If, for whatever reason, you choose to |
| the law to do so in many areas. If there is traffic on | | | | make the turn from a different lane, you should yield |
| your left and you just can't get over, at the very | | | | to the guy turning from the furthest lane to the right. |
| least, slow down. | | | | |