3 Tips About Proper Truck Driving Etiquette

At some point in our lives, we have witnessed a questionable driver on the road. Sometimes, this may even be a truck driver. How many times have you wanted to shake a fist at that guy? Or yell a few choice words? Let’s be honest, nothing peaks human emotion more than a less than favorable drive- especially when factoring in traffic and being on time for work.

As a truck driver, your office is the open road. Long hours are spent in a huge rig, transporting all types of cargo across state lines. That means that as king/queen of the road, you have a responsibility to be extra cautious, alert and quick thinking when it comes to driving.

Trucking etiquette is a thing, and I don’t mean saying please or thank you at a stop sign. Not only does being courteous demand respect, but it promotes safe driving. Here are our 3 biggest trips about truck driver etiquette.

Extra care is always better

Trucks are much larger and heavier than cars. That means that braking needs to start happening sooner, especially if you plan to make a turn. Nothing is more obnoxious than a driver that doesn’t use blinkers. For truck drivers, not only does flipping the blinkers need to be second nature, but drivers need to be extra vigilant about warning other drivers that they will be braking, and it needs to happen well before the actual braking begins. 

Merge with both lanes

Merging can be scary and difficult, especially when traveling at high speeds over the highway. A highly recommended method for merging is called the Zipper Merge Method. You can see exactly how to do this in the video below.

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Know the laws in your state

Road rules vary from state to state, so it’s a good idea to get a bit of knowledge before you head out on a long trip- specifically regarding lane courtesy. In a lot of states, slower traffic is expected to stay in the right lane while using the left lane to speed up and pass. Keep the flow of traffic going smoothly and safely.