It’s common to hear motorists complain about truck drivers on the road. Whether it’s the space you use or the speed you drive, truckers often get the short end when it comes to respect. The truth is that driving a truck is one of the toughest jobs around. You’re constantly having to pay attention to your surroundings and to other drivers. If you’re a local driver, you also have the added challenge of navigating roadways that aren’t necessarily built for vehicles your size. So, we asked drivers, “What are your biggest pet peeves as a truck driver?” Here’s a list of some of the more maddening pet peeves:
- Traffic – Getting stuck in high volume and slow traffic is always a nuisance wherever you are. However, local truck drivers are at a significant disadvantage because there’s not always an alternative route to take.
- Shipper/receiver delays – Every second you’re delayed costs you money as a driver. That’s time you’re not spending making another run and increasing your income. It can be especially frustrating when you’re committed to making your pick-ups and deliveries on time but get held up for reasons out of your control.
- Drivers on cell phones – Despite this issue being a hot topic for years and the countless number of incidents caused by drivers being on their cell phones, this remains a huge problem on the road. As a truck driver, it’s frustrating to see drivers who still insist on using their phones while in the car. Many states have started introducing hands-free device laws in order to curb drivers from using their phones, but this is still a major concern.
- Aggressive drivers– Cars that weave in and out of lanes without signaling, tailgating, cutting off other drivers and ignoring traffic laws…all these moves are characteristic of aggressive drivers. They pose a huge risk to other drivers and truckers on the road
- Narrow roads – Unlike OTR jobs, local truck drivers have to navigate local streets. Many of these are narrow roads, making them difficult to maneuver. These types of roads will often require lots of backing up in order to angle your truck correctly to make turns safely or to locate another route.
- Lack of respect for space – Trucks need a lot of additional space on the road. It takes you longer to stop your vehicle, you make wider turns and have larger blind spots. Many motorists seem to disregard a truck’s need for additional room, which makes your job more difficult and take you longer to get to your destination.
- Poor road conditions – Some accidents aren’t caused by other drivers but rather poor road conditions. This includes road erosion, potholes, uneven road surfaces and debris in the road. While any type of roadway is susceptible to poor conditions, local roads don’t always get the same amount of maintenance as larger roadways.
Truck driving is a hard job. You deal with many different elements of trucking and logistics and are the key to making commerce work. For local truck drivers, you’re responsible for ensuring your local communities run smoothly. Your job is important and at Cargomatic, we understand that it certainly has its challenges. That’s why we’re proud to offer the opportunity and flexibility of local runs that you’ll want so that you can make the most out of your career.
Connect with Cargomatic for info on how we make the best career for local truck drivers!
