Don't Understand This Sign...

Setec Astronomy · 01-08-07, 09:09

Saw this on the back of an 18' straight rig delivery truck this morning:

Caution
In heavy traffic, let this truck change lanes

Who died and left him traffic cop? I think I will put a sign on my car that says "In heavy traffic, everybody pull over and let me go first".

At first I thought it was one of those "this truck makes wide turns" signs, but the graphic was a little different, so I read it more closely.

a.k.a. Patrick · 01-08-07, 09:32

Actually Mike, I always provide a little additional courtesy to them. If you have ever driven one (18 wheeler) you would realize how difficult it is to maneuver one of those in heavy traffic. A little arrogant maybe, but hes just asking for a little courtesy probably.

tyoung · 01-08-07, 09:40

Truck drivers are usually the most courteous on the road. Probably since they drive for a living, and it can be dangerous. I usually stay out of the way of rigs as much as possible anyway, just to keep rocks from kicking up into my car.

KevinA · 01-08-07, 10:05

Truckers have a heck of a time changing lanes, a lot of folks won't give them a break. I know most truckers are the most courteous, but some are the worst.

Autoeng · 01-08-07, 10:30

It is meant as a courtesy to you, not him. What it means is that in heavy traffic he will move out of the way of heavier traffic if you will give him the opportunity to change lanes therefore letting traffic proceed faster than he can.

Setec Astronomy · 01-08-07, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autoeng

It is meant as a courtesy to you, not him. What it means is that in heavy traffic he will move out of the way of heavier traffic if you will give him the opportunity to change lanes therefore letting traffic proceed faster than he can.

Well, the graphic showed an arrow going from the right lane to the left lane...more like him getting out from behind heavier traffic, rather than out of the way. And Patrick, this was a little office delivery truck, not a semi, I guess I'm dating myself with the 18' straight rig description. It was a box truck, one of those cabover ones that is popular now.

EDIT: this was the sign: CDL Driver Test: Caution In Heavy Traffic Let This Truck Change Lanes 13.5" x 10.75", Decals

Autoeng · 01-08-07, 11:23

You're right. What that is saying is that with merging traffic from onramps he needs to be able to get over to allow them to merge. If you won't clear the lane he either has the choice to 1) run you over, 2) run over the merging traffic or slow down (hopefully so that he doesn't do #2) which backs up traffic behind him.

That is if he is a good truck driver. If not, then he's an a$$h0le with a rude bumper sticker and a God complex.

Setec Astronomy · 01-08-07, 12:06

Well, that just seems to be one of those common sense kind of things that you don't need a sign for (like the hammers that say "don't hit yourself in the head with this" and the ladders that say "when on this ladder you will be up in the air where you could fall down from and hurt yourself"), as opposed to the more instructional/helpful "this truck makes wide right turns", although, I suppose, you might not be able to see over the truck in order to know that he was trying to run you over because someone was merging into him...but in my car I can't see over Suburbans, Hummers or anything else, so shouldn't they get a sign, too?

I dunno, I just never saw one of these signs before; it makes more sense now that Autoeng explained it.

a.k.a. Patrick · 01-08-07, 12:07

If it says FedEx, DHL, or USPS, let him over!!! They need all the help they can get!!

Picus · 01-08-07, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyoung

Truck drivers are usually the most courteous on the road. Probably since they drive for a living, and it can be dangerous. I usually stay out of the way of rigs as much as possible anyway, just to keep rocks from kicking up into my car.

You know when I lived in California I agreed. In Toronto it's totally different, the trucks are the worst offenders on the road. They completely bully smaller cars, sit in the left lane, rarely use signals; it's a mess.

Setec Astronomy · 01-08-07, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

If it says FedEx, DHL, or USPS, let him over!!! They need all the help they can get!!

Yeah, those packages have to get from/to Excel Detail!

paradigm · 01-20-07, 03:49

it is amazing how often i see people in the right lane that do not yield or change lanes for merging traffic...and it's the law (at least here) that merging traffic has the right of way on the highway. always causes backups. grrr.