I love driving behind large vehicles that are ornamented with the inquisitive bumper sticker, "How's my driving?" First of all, that is a fairly insecure question. It assumes the worst in asking it. It might as well be phrased, "I'm a bad driver, aren't I?" Second of all, they actually provide the number so that you can call in and give your two cents. I like this. I've actually called it. It's been too long, but I think it went something like this:
"Hi, this is Matt and well, yes, I'm driving behind this enormous truck. He's driving fairly well, I'd like to report. He's sticking to the speed limit and is staying in his lane. I would like to note though: He's a bit slow on the pickup. It really takes him a while to get going. That's a bit frustrating. What's that?....Oh no....this is not a formal complaint for your records, the slow pickup thing is just a personal preference of mine."
People have let me know how my driving is even though I don't have a sticker on the bumper requesting this information. And they usually don't let me know with words. Usually facial expressions and hand (and finger) signals.
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About following those big rigs.
You can make them happy by:
1. Following one length long of his/her trailer behind them.
2. Stay in your lane one trailer length in front of them and then move into that lane. Don't ever cut him off even if he is going 20 mph, you'll have a new tailgate design. Imagine that he's most always is caring 80,000 lbs of weight and can't stop on a dime like you can.
3. Especially don't pass on their right side. If you do, keep your lights on even if it's a bright day and don't stay there too long. Especially on either side in the section of his trailer which 10 feet from the back door and 15 feet from the front of the truck.
4. If you're in slow moving traffic, stay in the lane with all the other truckers. They are always asking on the vulgar CB radio which lane is the quickest.
5. In reference to #2&3, if the weather is snow, slick roads or rain, triple your following and leading distances. No matter how late we are, we're always thinking about your safety first. Some out there are new and learn the hard way.
6. A big rig and/or trailer combination will hydroplane quicker than a car.
7. Stay away from the tires, a blowout could kill you.
8. Usually a safe big rig driver is checking six or more mirrors and what's in front of him and considering the possibilities of traffic hazards about three miles or more ahead of him. So, let's say that you've given them "enough" time to switch lanes and they don't and they still have their turn signal on. Give them more time to move in. Increase your patience. They are considering their lives and yours at the same time.
9. If it's night time and you see that they have room to move in ahead of you and you are 15 feet or more from the back of his trailer; flash your lights once. Once they move in, you'll see an educated driver (taught by his former trainer) blink his hazards 1-2 times (if he doesn't have "Christmas" lights) or if he does have "Christmas" lights, all the lights on the corners of his trailer will turn off and then back on, twice. This is a trucker's "Thank you!"
10. I drove OTR (Over The Road) for nine months with three well-known companies. I know how it feels to be tailgated even without a trailer, it's nerve wrecking especially to a new driver. Just giving you a heads up and a smile. ;-)
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