3 Driving Moves That Put You on a Trucker’s Naughty List

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Truck drivers see it all out there on the road. Among the things they see most are bad driving habits in unfolding before their eyes–every day. So what are the worst driving no-no’s from a truck driver’s perspective? One of them, Todd McCann, has taken the time to explain some of them. Have you seen any of these things on your own route? Are you guilty of any of these things yourself?

Pay attention. People don’t pay attention. They are in their own worlds because of cellphones. That’s why they get caught riding on the right side of the road. That’s why at the last-second they realize they are about to miss their turn…They realize that they should worry about merging and you see the cell phone vanish. They put the phone down and look up at you like, “You didn’t see that.”

Stop hanging out along my side. I had a car riding on my right side the other day, just hanging out. That’s the worst thing any driver can do. We have a huge blindspot over there. I almost ran this guy off the road because I couldn’t see him.

If a trucker is tailgating you, you’re probably going too slow. If you see a truck in your rearview, the first thing you need to do is put down your phone. The second thing you need to do is look at your speedometer. The majority of the time, if a trucker is tailgating you, you’re doing something wrong. My truck is limited at 64mph. If I’m tailgating you because you’re going too slow, that’s a problem.

This isn’t all, either! For more cardinal sins of driving (from a truck driver’s point of view) read the rest of the story.

Image from roadandtrack.com

Are Pimped-Out Rigs the Wave of the Future?

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Some trucking companies are trying to entice drivers through deluxe cabins. But will it work?

With the driver shortage reaching unprecendented proportions, trucking companies are getting creative in their attempts to fill vacancies. Namely, they’re providing more comfortable rides for drivers making the long haul.

Rigs

The firms are paying truck manufacturers to make luxury living quarters that attach to the vehicles, with kitchen areas, satellite TVs, refrigerators, bathrooms and a bed,” the story in the Daily Mail stated.

Companies such as Bolt Custom Trucks are getting fancy with in-truck features such as a fold-down bed so drivers don’t have to sleep in their seats or find a place to stay.

Firms hope that by adding cabins that include tables, cabinets, beds and showers, they will be able to better recruit qualified drivers in the midst of a labor shortage,” the article stated. “Ohio-based Try Hours is converting its 20 trucks to be more stylish and comfortable, with hopes that it will make recruiting easier. ‘It’s all about a better experience to keep the drivers,’ said Kenneth Lemley, who manages the fleet at Maumee.”

Costs for deluxe sleeper trucks are hardly cheap, costing upwards of $200,000 sometimes. But in an industry where the driver shortage is reaching a critical point, some companies find investment in luxury rigs is worth the risk. What do you think? Would you like to drive a “pimped out” truck?

 

Image from Facebook/Bolt Custom Trucks