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