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From:
"Driver's ABC's -
Surviving the First Year".
There are a number of courtesies that drivers extend to one another...
Unfortunately, some of them are slowly dying…
maybe they're not being taught to new drivers, maybe life is simply becoming
more impersonal, it's hard to say. None the less, extending courtesy towards
your fellow driver is a display of professionalism.
Waving on
2 lanes
Drivers often wave at one another on two lane roads.
Years ago, before the CB radio became so popular and you had to have a Ham
license, drivers had hand signals they used to communicate different
messages, such as: accident ahead, speed trap ahead, etc. Though the hand
signals are long gone, waving is not. It is a nice way to acknowledge a
driver.
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Flashing
headlights off and back on after passing
When a truck is passing another truck, quite often the
truck being passed will flash the headlights off and back on to "tell" the
passing truck that he/she has cleared him, and can bring his/her truck back
into the right lane. This is done more often at night but not necessarily
only at night. Some drivers flash their high beams instead and this serves
basically the same purpose but many drivers do not like this because it can
be blinding. Some trucks, though, have headlights that cannot be turned off
so there's really no other way. This courtesy is not really done because the
driver doing the passing doesn't know when he's cleared the other truck -
it's done as a courtesy - as a way to acknowledge another driver. Some
drivers prefer to say something on the CB radio instead, such as, "Okay
driver, you got me." Beware! Many states say that this practice is illegal!
For that matter, any gesturing to another driver, as in a hand wave for
someone to "come around" can make you liable in the case an accident
results. Most drivers still wave/flash for other truck drivers, but do not
and will not for cars.
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Saying
"Thank You"... please mind your manners.
After being "flashed" over by another truck, it is only
good manners to say thank you! This is done by flashing the trailer lights.
You can do so by flipping the switch on the dash or by putting your four
ways on and letting them blink 2 or 3 times. You can even pick up the CB mic
and say it to the person. You can say "thank you" in this fashion in other
situations, also – when another truck stayed back so you could complete a
turn, etc.
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Stopping
Short or "Hanging Back"
Drivers are always "looking ahead" to what they're
driving into. When a driver can see he/she is going to arrive at a turn at
the same time as another truck, typically one of the trucks will "stop
short" or "hang back" so that the other can make the turn. Since trucks need
a great deal more space when completing a turn, this makes the whole process
more efficient. Since many turns require the truck to take most, if not all,
of the available space, if two trucks were both pulled all the way up to the
turn, neither would be able to go.
Turn signals
Drivers are usually very good about using their turn
signals. This is yet another way that a professional driver stands out
from the rest. Four way flashers are often used to communicate to others
that a truck is moving very slowly, when parked along the side of the road
or when backing. Drivers are usually very good about using the proper
signals, turning or 4 ways, when needed. Again, it is a sign of
professionalism. When backing out of a truckstop spot that is between two
other trucks and in effect, completely blind, drivers will turn on the 4
ways and the CB radio and proceed slowly. If there is someone coming or
some other obstacle, most the time someone will say something on the CB
radio to you. Be sure you're also watching for other trucks' four way
flashers when driving through the truckstop lot because it is usually
going to mean that that truck is preparing to back out of his/her spot. As
a courtesy, stop and allow him/her to get out of the spot. By you sitting
there waiting, you'll also be helping block the space.
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Not
Tying Up Left Lane
The left lane of traffic is supposed to be the "passing
lane" and the right lane is the "traveling lane". Some states have enacted
laws to this effect and have posted signs that say something like, "Stay
right unless passing". Since a truck is usually moving slower than other
traffic, it only makes sense to stay out of the faster traffic. It is also
very important to guard the blind area beside the passenger door on the
right side of a truck. Preventing others from passing by blocking the left
lane makes people angry and they will only wait so long before doing crazy
things to get around - such as passing on a shoulder, etc.
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No Headlights
in Truck Stop at Night Unless...
a truck stop parking lot is very dark, most drivers
turn their headlights off when entering. If you are parked in the lot,
sitting in the driver's seat in your truck, putting your four ways on and
letting them blink 2 or 3 times. You can even pick up the CB mic and say
it to the person. You can say thank you in this fashion in other
situations, also – when another truck stayed back so you could complete a
turn, etc.
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No
Headlights Entering a DOT Scale
Even the DOT typically does not like it when you enter
the weigh station with the headlights on. Some post signs that tell you to
turn them off. From the place they're sitting, your headlights blind them.
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No Horn
at Truck Stop
Many students are taught at truck driving school to
honk the horn just before backing up. While a good safety precaution at a
driving school, using this technique at a truck stop is terrible
etiquette! Many drivers are sleeping and this isn't the way most like to
be awakened.
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Don't
"Park" in the Fuel Line
Many drivers will pull through the fuel island to run
inside the truck stop and get coffee, use the restroom, etc. While this
doesn't usually create a problem, some drivers will literally park there
for a long enough time that someone pulls in behind them, fuels and then
ends up being blocked in because the other driver is in the truckstop
taking a shower or sitting down for a meal! This author does actually
endorse and recommend that women drivers pull through the fuel line at
night to go in and take care of business but ONLY if it's going to be
short and sweet. To keep another driver waiting because you're too lazy to
actually park in a spot is terrible etiquette. Sometimes there won't be
any available spots and you'll be all but forced to do this - but please,
make it quick.
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