Trucking Knowledge #021. Are We Ruining Your Commute?

Trucking Knowledge #021.

Are We Ruining Your Commute?

Transcript

Trucking Knowledge #021.

Are We Ruining Your Commute?

If you spend any time on America’s highways—whether for work or vacation—you’ve probably endured your fair share of traffic headaches. One of the biggest? Those 73-foot rolling apartment buildings delivering all the stuff you “can’t live without.”

And yes… sometimes two of them are side by side.

So let’s answer the question that spikes everyone’s blood pressure:

The Public Question: 
Why does that one truck pull out to pass and then just… live there, clogging both lanes forever?

Before we answer it, let’s add some context.

The Two Main Species of 18-Wheeler Drivers.

Owner-Operators, or, as I like to call them, the “super truckers.” They own their rig and generally have more control over how it’s run.

Company Drivers – The majority of us. We don’t own the truck. That means we follow company policies, electronic monitoring systems, and speed restrictions. And yes, sometimes it feels like we could get run over by our own company. (Kidding… mostly.)

The Governor: Your Real Enemy.

Most company trucks are governed, and that means they have a top speed they physically cannot exceed—no matter how badly we want to.
Many are capped at 65 mph.
Some are as low as 55 mph (yes, that’s real).
A few go as high as 68 mph.
And trust me—that extra 3 mph matters.
Now add modern “safety” technology:
Adaptive cruise control.
Proximity detection.
Lane monitoring.
Automatic following distance controls.

These systems use radar and sensors to monitor distance and lane position. If we get too close to another vehicle, the truck starts beeping and won’t stop until we "back off" enough to make it happy enough to shut up.

Ignore it long enough? Congratulations—you’ve earned yourself a mandatory “safety conversation.”

*Quick note: Owner Operators are not usually governed; it is the company driver that gets governed, which is the majority of drivers on the road. That truck that blows past you like you're sitting still is an owner-operator. 

What’s Actually Happening Out There

Let’s say the truck in the right lane is governed at 65 mph and hauling 40,000 pounds up a hill. Not exactly a sports car.

If I sit behind that truck using adaptive cruise, my truck automatically backs me off to maintain the following distance. That often drops me to 60 mph—or lower.

If that driver is capped at 60, 55, or struggling on a grade? Now I’m crawling at 55… 50… maybe even 45.

And if I try to manually close the gap?
Beep. Beep. Beep. Proximity warning. Safety event. Logged.

So does the driver do?
I move left to try to get my precious 65 mph back.

Why the Pass Takes Forever

Here’s where it gets painful.
Getting back to 65 mph in a fully loaded truck is not instant. It’s a slow crawl—especially on a hill at 70,000+ pounds.

Some trucks are governed differently:
65 mph max on cruise control.
63 mph max if you press the accelerator.
Limited “passing boost” of +3 mph, and I have had a few trucks where this is not an option.

Heads up on that passing boost?
It is often useless on a hill because it doesn’t increase torque. It’s designed for flat ground under “normal” conditions. It will also shut off once you drop below a pre-programmed speed.

If you use it too often? You get flagged by some companies for overuse. 
Some systems even limit the boost to 20–30 minutes before forcing a 1–2-hour system reset. One truck I had you could use twice, but you had to wait 2 hrs for the second use, then that was it for the day. 

So now back to the two trucks side-by-side situation, pissing off the four wheelers:

One truck at 65 mph is usually in the right lane.
One truck at 65.5 mph left the lane.
Both are fully loaded.
Both governed.
Both monitored.
That’s why it looks like a rolling chess match at glacier speed, and there is nothing we can do about it.

Why It Actually Matters to Us

Many interstate drivers are over-the-road drivers and aren’t paid hourly.

We’re paid: 
By the mile or by the load, and we’re legally limited on how many hours we can drive per day.
So sitting behind another governed truck at 55 mph doesn’t just irritate us—it costs us real miles, real time, and real money.

So Let’s Ask the Question Again

Public Question: 
Why does that one truck pull out to pass and then just… live there, clogging both lanes forever?

We’re trying to regain 3–5 mph.
We’re trying to avoid constant safety alarms.
We’re trying to keep our compliance record clean.
We’re trying to make our miles before our clock runs out.
We’re not bored and looking to annoy you or anyone else.
We’re not racing because these things aren't built for it.

And we’re definitely not doing it to ruin your day.

Quick reminder: our license is also regulated by the federal government, not just the state where it was issued.

We’re just trying to keep the safety systems quiet, the boss happy, and the wheels turning—while delivering the stuff you ordered this afternoon that you want delivered tomorrow.


You’re welcome. 🚛