The Source for Trucking News, Opinions and Trucking Jobs | Mutual respect

As with all people truck drivers crave respect, though some seem reluctant to offer it themselves. It’s common enough to see truck drivers giving each other a wave of thanks when aided to change lanes in heavy traffic, but I seldom see truck drivers offer any recognition to other motorists who make similar efforts on their behalf.

There is a fundamental difference between how truckies see themselves & how they are viewed by the general public. Many truckies are pre-occupied with some macho image as Road Warriors, expecting other motorists to admire what they represent & to make special concessions for them in traffic. In Melbourne, large trucks often hog the outside/fast lane & tailgate other vehicles to intimidate them into accelerating or changing lanes.

Many car drivers however see trucks as a hindrance & a danger to other road users. A large truck fits very well into the dinosaur mould, big & ferocious. Like a bus, a good truck is a benign part of the street-scape, casually recognised, but not overtly noticed. For those few who display 1800 numbers for comments about the truck driver, compliments if they exist, note how articulate a truck moves through traffic without hindering the course of other vehicles.

It is an unfortunate fact that we will always have moments when we need to press our rights in traffic, but this should only be during vigorous maneuvering & not when traveling from ‘A’ to ‘B’. As we enjoy a higher field of vision we should be scanning the road ahead to determine well in advance any need to change lanes & to make those manoeuvres as soon as space permits, not leave it to the last minute & then force other motorists out of our way.

I can well appreciate the contempt many car drivers have for truckies when I am in my car have to put up with the arrogance of some truck drivers as I can also appreciate what I as a truck driver have to deal with from cars. It achieves nothing to take out your rage on one car driver for the actions of another who may in turn respond to other truckies based on what you did to them & so on. We can all choose either attempt to change our bad image in the eyes of the public or choose to re-enforce it. Which do you choose?