When you spend enough time on the road, you quickly learn that there is much more to driving than just following traffic laws and DOT regulations. Out on the road, there are other unwritten rules of the road that every long haul driver knows and follows. These rules help keep everyone safe and help long haul drivers maintain efficiency. Keep reading to learn what these rules are and why they are so important.
Keep Your Distance, Especially Behind Other Trucks
While this might seem obvious, avoiding tailgating is crucial to safety for everyone. Following another vehicle too closely is dangerous and disrespectful. Furthermore, it puts unnecessary pressure on the lead driver, which can lead to poor decisions. Finally, following other trucks too closely reduces visibility, especially around dawn and dusk. When driving professionally, you should always maintain a safe following distance of at least 1 second per 10 feet of truck and trailer length, or more during bad weather.
Be Mindful While Refueling
Gas stations are always busy, especially during peak hours. The rule while refueling is simple: fill your vehicle, then move forward, or park out of the way so the next person can fuel up. You should never go inside to grab a snack, use the restroom, or take a shower until you’ve moved away from the pump. Blocking a fuel pump while you take a break is the fastest way to earn a bad reputation among the trucking community and cause you to get bad service at any attached diner. Respecting other drivers takes just a few minutes and helps to keep everyone moving and on time.
Don’t Waste Time on the CB
While CB radios are not as popular as they once were, if you opt to use one, use it properly. This means only using them to communicate about road conditions, traffic, or hazards ahead. You should avoid using the CB to just chat as it should be open for emergencies.
Stay Right
Unless you are passing vehicles going under the speed limit, you should always be in the right lane. Remember, the left lane is for passing, not cruising along. When you do need to pass, be sure to give plenty of room and move back into the right lane as soon as safely possible.
Take Your Time Parking and Get it Right
Never take up more than one spot at a truck spot. Parking is always at a premium, especially during peak hours. Misusing a parking space is showing disrespect for your fellow truckers. Therefore, it is important to take your time parking, always try to back in, and stay in the middle of the lines as best you can.
Leave It As You Found It
Leaving trash in the parking lot, a mess in the washrooms, or water all over the place in the showers is not acceptable. Truck stops and rest areas are for everyone, and leaving a mess behind is lazy and disrespectful. Remember, you are responsible for your own mess, so make sure to take it with you or clean it up.
Keep Quiet
After a long day of driving, you want to relax. However, if you love to listen to loud music to wind down, invest in a pair of headphones. Truck stops are shared spaces, and no one else wants to hear your music blasting as they try to relax. Also, make sure to turn your engine off as soon as possible, as an idling engine is sure to cause some problems with other drivers. If you need to have your truck running, aim to park away from others.
The trucking community is built on respect, which is why following these unwritten rules is so important. Being respectful to others and remaining professional will go a long way in creating a positive experience with other drivers.
Drive for Classic Transport
Looking to get paid to drive all day? Join Classic Transport as a driveaway, towaway, or multi-haul driver today and start making money as you drive across North America. Visit the Classic Transport website today to see the driver requirements and start your application!