re: Truckers should not be allowed in the left hand lane. Period.

Bumping this for perspective.

I started my own trucking business two years ago as a single o/o after retiring from active duty. Have 5 trucks now.

All the things truckers do that piss you off, piss me off, too. However, I will make a couple small points regarding one truck passing another truck slowly:

Many of the company trucks are governed, meaning they can only go so fast. When those trucks are limited to a certain speed, then they inevitably get clustered up into a mini-convoy on the highways and interstates. They're trying to get away from each other by either slowing down or passing one another and build separation because convoys are dangerous for them and for 4-wheelers.

So, if a truck governed to 68 comes up on a truck governed to 65-67, he's got one of two options: slow down, which impedes his timing and will eventually lead to a mini-convoy as other trucks approach from behind -OR- pass when it's safe and hopefully 4-wheelers will give him a little bit of time to complete the pass.

Also, many states have move-over laws for disabled vehicles, tow vehicles, and emergency vehicles. If there's a cop with his lights on ahead on the shoulder, I'm required to move over to the left lane if it's safe to do so. So many times, 4-wheelers fly around me, see the cop, jam on their brakes and look like retards. Chances are, there's a valid reason a truck is sitting in the left lane.

I'm not forgiving the a-hole truckers who decide to ride side-by-side with other truckers. That shite pisses me off. All it takes is one mistake, one good gust of wind (especially where I drive in Arizona/California) and we're touching metal. I'm also not forgiving the dicks who complete a pass, but sit in the left lane.

Here's pro-tips for 4-wheelers:

When merging on the interstate, check the traffic conditions and speed the frick up. I'm carrying 40 tons. I can't come to a stop so you can merge going 40 mph in a 65 zone. That said, most trucks will yield right of way to 4-wheelers even when merging onto interstates. Last thing any of us want to do is kill you.

When behind a truck, stay back so you can see my mirror. I know it's annoying, but do it. That's not for my safety, that's for your's. Your shitty Ford hatchback is no match for me. Actually saw this last month; a car was tailgating a UPS truck with doubles. Tire on the back trailer blew out. Car had no time to react, hit it and flew off the interstate. Bad wreck, but he survived. If he'd been back a bit, he could have easily avoided it.

Never, ever, ever pass a truck on the right. You're asking to be killed. Again, USUALLY there's a valid reason that truck is in the left lane. Show a tick of patience.

Believe me, most truckers do everything they can to stay out of your way. There's only so much we can do. Just stay away from us as best you can. Unfortunately because major truck companies are so cheap, they tend to hire anyone off the street so you're bound to come across a dolt with a CDL. Just get around him/her as quickly as possible and move on.