Question for truckers....
Jul 3, 2019 10:10:32 #
...or anyone familiar with traffic regs:
I recently drove a stretch of about 10 miles on I-85 going south from Gaffney, SC. There’s construction going on and there were signs posted: “Trucks Use Left Lane”.
I can’t recall seeing that before. Anyone have an explanation?
I recently drove a stretch of about 10 miles on I-85 going south from Gaffney, SC. There’s construction going on and there were signs posted: “Trucks Use Left Lane”.
I can’t recall seeing that before. Anyone have an explanation?
Jul 3, 2019 10:13:41 #
hogesinwa
Loc: Dalyellup Western Australia
The council must have bought a job lot of old signs from us down here in Oz. 😂😂
Jul 3, 2019 10:14:29 #
I see that often - has to do with whichever lane is wide enough to be safer.
Jul 3, 2019 11:07:49 #
BlueMorel wrote:
I see that often - has to do with whichever lane is wide enough to be safer.
My guess is they're probably doing roadwork on the right shoulder.
Jul 3, 2019 12:18:02 #
Jul 3, 2019 14:53:19 #
usken65 wrote:
They want to keep the 80000lb trucks off the unsupported shoulder.
And off the rather squishy workers. I have never seen Superman or Iron Man on a road crew.
Jul 4, 2019 07:00:36 #
Dannj wrote:
...or anyone familiar with traffic regs:
I recently drove a stretch of about 10 miles on I-85 going south from Gaffney, SC. There’s construction going on and there were signs posted: “Trucks Use Left Lane”.
I can’t recall seeing that before. Anyone have an explanation?
I recently drove a stretch of about 10 miles on I-85 going south from Gaffney, SC. There’s construction going on and there were signs posted: “Trucks Use Left Lane”.
I can’t recall seeing that before. Anyone have an explanation?
Not uncommon in Michigan or Ohio. I think to avoid on-off ramp problems, among others suggested here.
Jul 4, 2019 08:20:11 #
byjoe
Loc: Stillwater, OK
Normally in this case it involves a section where they constructed a temporary widening of the highway and the ground support is not strong enough for the big rigs weight thus have them stay on the permanent supported road or keep replacing the temporary strip when big rigs tear them up.
Jul 4, 2019 08:33:23 #
IIRC, My state has a law about no trucks in the passing lane on 3 lane roads, interstates and the like. I think others do too. Perhaps in construction zones they temporarily suspend that if a right lane is blocked.
Jul 4, 2019 09:49:23 #
BlueMorel wrote:
I see that often - has to do with whichever lane is wide enough to be safer.
That was my first thought - wider and possibly stronger.
Jul 4, 2019 10:35:10 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
In Michigan they do it because the beat-up the other lane and it's too bumpy. The are working to destroy both lanes.
Jul 4, 2019 10:36:11 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
I have another question for truckers: Why does it take a driver 10 minutes and 10 miles of highway to pass another rig on a level, two-lane interstate?
Stan
Stan
Jul 4, 2019 11:27:17 #
StanMac wrote:
I have another question for truckers: Why does it take a driver 10 minutes and 10 miles of highway to pass another rig on a level, two-lane interstate?
Stan
Stan
Their cruise control settings are slightly different.
Jul 4, 2019 12:34:59 #
I think some of these answers are correct. The temporary right lane is not strong or smooth enough to hold up 80,000 pound trucks so they move them to the left lane, which is usually the old permanent right lane. This keeps the trucks from bouncing and swaying so it is much safer.
Also, it often takes a long time for 2 big rigs to pass because they may have speed governors that hold them to a maximum speed and/or their load helps them on downhills but holds them back on inclines. It is very frustrating for cars that can go much faster and vary their speed much more easily, but the big guys have to pass sometime if they guy ahead is going slower. They are mostly pretty good about passing and moving over but sometimes they are jerks about it. In general, I find that truckers are much more aggressive and impolite now than they were 30 or 40 years ago.
Also, it often takes a long time for 2 big rigs to pass because they may have speed governors that hold them to a maximum speed and/or their load helps them on downhills but holds them back on inclines. It is very frustrating for cars that can go much faster and vary their speed much more easily, but the big guys have to pass sometime if they guy ahead is going slower. They are mostly pretty good about passing and moving over but sometimes they are jerks about it. In general, I find that truckers are much more aggressive and impolite now than they were 30 or 40 years ago.
Jul 4, 2019 12:36:42 #
StanMac wrote:
I have another question for truckers: Why does it take a driver 10 minutes and 10 miles of highway to pass another rig on a level, two-lane interstate?
Stan
Stan
Yes, that is frustrating. I think they plan it ahead of time. "Hey, good buddy, there's a long uphill stretch coming up. Why don't I pull over into the passing lane and pretend I'm passing you?"
One thing I've learned about big rigs on the Interstates is that they are definitely affected by hills. You don't want to be behind one going up, and you don't want to be in front of one going down.
If you see a truck with a small white dome on the roof, that means the truck is in constant contact with headquarters. The boss know how fast the truck is going, engine temperature, oil pressure, etc.
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