Erratic Truck Drivers...

sammyq on 23/08/2023 - 14:53
Last edited 23/08/2023 - 14:55

In my daily commute on the M80 Ring Road I frequently come across truck drivers that either:

  • Tailgate me right up the ass, some even honk and flash their high beams. Mind you, this is while I am driving at the speed limit.
  • Speeding at least 20k's above the speed limit
  • Erratic lane changes
  • Changing into my lane without checking, forcing me to move to the other lane.

I clearly see the company they drive for, so I'm thinking the next truck driver that drives erratically, I should at least report to their company. Sometimes I think maybe it's not the drivers fault and they are actually under the pressure of their employer to get the delivery done as soon as possible. Are freight companies really pressuring their drivers so much that they have to drive this way.

And do not get me started on those tradie ute drivers or the 4x4 drivers…

Automotive

Comments

      • terrys on 25/08/2023 - 11:40

        making everyone else move to the left

        Hard to do when "zooming along". Is it mind-control, do you think, or telekinesis?

      • CalmLemons on 26/08/2023 - 00:35

        Mate can you please elaborate which sections of the M80 you are talking about?

        If the section is between Tullamarine and the Hume Freeway off ramp honestly that is literally the MOST DANGEROUS routes to be hogging the right lane.

        From the pascoe vale off ramp to Sydney Road trucks are already preparing to try to merge left to get to the Hume Freeway offramp, avoid the backlog of traffic on the Sydney Road off ramp, trying to avoid hitting cars on the merge and other trucks and pray to god they can find a space to merge. Most of the time, they literally have to force their way in.

        It also decreases down to 80km/h in the slope down and up just before pascoe vale off ramp which makes it even more harder as you have slowing cars and trucks then trucks that are slower because they might miss the gear/be stuck in low gear going down, so the right lane is reserve for vehicles at speed trying not to hit the ones getting up the hill. Some trucks need momentum to get up that incline otherwise sometimes they end up going at 60km up that hill which can be dangerous af.

  • jugsy on 23/08/2023 - 16:16
    +8

    Also worth noting it's illegal to cut off or impede traffic intentionally/dangerously even if they're speeding

    • whatwasherproblem on 23/08/2023 - 17:00
      +1

      Indeed. And also, if they're driving a big, heavy, fug-off truck, they're not going to be able to easily/safely slow down or evade OP while he's self-righteously hogging the right hand lane of the M80 Ring. It's actually safer for them to just plow right through OP if he's impeding traffic too hard, rather than endanger more lives by attempting to swerve or slamming on the brakes.

      Stay in the left lane unless overtaking, OP. Even if it wasn't a legal road rule, surely at some point the FAFO rules kick in.

  • Zeph101 on 23/08/2023 - 16:18
    +1

    How do you know you are doing the speed limit? if you are going by the speedometer on your car it is not at all accurate and you are usually 5% slower.
    I would imagine truckies are going by their GPS so their speed would be more accurate?

    plus.. don't trucks have speed limiters(turned off haha)

  • Muzeeb on 23/08/2023 - 16:26
    +12

    I'm all out of negative votes from this thread. Any platinum members here willing to sell me some from their unlimited stash?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 23/08/2023 - 21:05
      +3

      Would, but unfortunately cancelled my platinum membership by mistake while trying to cancel my Kogan trial.

      • Muzeeb on 23/08/2023 - 21:08
        +2

        That makes sense. Cheers

    • Ramrunner on 25/08/2023 - 10:27

      LoL same.

  • cashless on 23/08/2023 - 16:26
    +16

    We all get stuck behind drivers like the OP on the motorways.
    "I am doing the speed limit, therefore I shall occupy the right hand lane".

    • Randolph Duke on 25/08/2023 - 08:52
      +1

      Infuriating, isn’t it?

  • Gnilgorf on 23/08/2023 - 16:27
    +7

    Why hello fellow M80 commuter~

    Well as others have stated, don't be in the far right lane unless you're over taking…Yes, the speed limit still matters, but every speedo is different so it's likely you're blocking others from safely overtaking and that's why you're getting the tailgating / flashes / honks. Some are speeding…but its generally the minority. And it's par for the course for any freeway.

    Now, this is purely anecdotal but after moving westside a couple of years ago, and having started using the M80 regularly, the traffic conditions can get pretty hectic relative to past driving experiences elsewhere. Figured it's partly to do with the sheer number of heavy traffic exits & entries in close proximity (looking at you Sunshine / M8 / Boundary Rd / Westgate intersection), resulting in a lot of lane changes happening very quickly. But you get used to it and learn the lanes, along with defensive driving.

    Always found it funny how some Westside friends never liked driving on freeways, but now I understand why.

    Also saying this as I was read ended by a truck several weeks ago…but hey.

    • CalmLemons on 25/08/2023 - 12:46
      +2

      This. Fellow M80.

      Guys like OP are more dangerous than the truck and tandems.

      We use the right lane to overtake and pass. It's difficult for truck drivers along the M80 ring road as there are also huge gradients, meaning sometimes THEY NEED TO PASS you if there are slower cars in the other lanes going down a slope.

      That guy flashing lights at you? That's probably me in a ute sometimes. Sometimes we are moving around to GIVE WAY to the trucks that we know are in a dangeours position sometimes. The trucks try not to drive side by side and they need to merge or get off the freeway, if you're that bloke blocking the right land you're simply causing a harzard.

      KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING.

  • GordonD on 23/08/2023 - 16:36
    +8

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference, living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; taking this world as it is and not as I would have it.

  • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 23/08/2023 - 16:41

    If you see their blinker on then get out of their way.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 23/08/2023 - 16:48
    +10

    Sometimes I think maybe it's not the drivers fault and they are actually under the pressure of their employer to get the delivery done as soon as possible

    Nah they're just pissed at the absolute knob breaking the road rules by sitting in the right lane.

    I love how oblivious you are to the road rules. Do you also just change lanes without indicating and wonder why you constantly almost get into accidents? Wouldn't surprise me.

  • Protractor on 23/08/2023 - 17:03

    METH

  • CurlCurl on 23/08/2023 - 17:04
    +6

    A complaint about erratic truck drivers from a driver who has no idea that what he is doing is wrong but also selfish.

  • FocusRider on 23/08/2023 - 19:09
    +12

    What part of KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING do you not understand?

    • misfitt1911 on 26/08/2023 - 19:45
      +1

      This was one of the first things that I was told by my driving instructor when I was learning how to drive. And, from what I recall, you were penalised if you failed to keep left during the probationary test.

  • netjock on 23/08/2023 - 19:11
    +1

    M80 Ring Road

    I assume this is Melbourne. Basically every few days there is a massive crash between Pascoe Vale Road and Sydney Road exits.
    Also lots of debris on the M80 because loads are not necessarily secure.

    You know the west is still wild!

  • 2024 on 23/08/2023 - 19:34
    +6

    KEEP LEFT
    UNLESS OVERTAKING

    but tbh I am really looking forward to the day that trucks are automated for many reasons

  • LFO on 24/08/2023 - 11:28
    +9

    "Keep left unless overtaking"

    Why not making it real easy and simple?:

    K E E P - -> L E F T !!!!!!!

  • pegaxs on 24/08/2023 - 11:41
    +7

    Oh wow. Came in here expecting the usual truck hate thread and man, was I wrong. Woke up this morning feeling a little down and this was just the pick me up that I needed to make me smile again. Faith in the community, restored.

    Just when I think I've done something stupid, someone comes here and posts something that makes my mishap seem trivial by comparison.

    This whole thread reminds me of the woman who did a U-Turn in front of a cop, over unbroken double lines next to a school crossing at 3pm in the afternoon, getting slapped with almost $1000 in fines and listening to her rant to her friends that it was unfair because "everyone else does it…"

  • 2esc on 24/08/2023 - 13:03
    +1

    There is a lot more inexperienced drivers now as older drivers retiring and over the last 10 to 15 years less people taking it up as a job.

    Its not a attractive industry to get into with idiot car drivers constantly cutting in front of trucks this is one reason trucks follow cars closer than they should.

    If they leave any gap at all a car will move into it and as trucks cant stop quickly truck drivers like to keep control of the distance in front of them in case they have to break hard.

    Frieght companies are under huge pressures from their customers. If a driver misses their allocated delivery time they may have to wait hours to offload ive heard of up to 6 hours wait by one driver at one of the major supermarket warehouse. Thats unpaid time.

    No way i would drive a truck in thr city i have a hc license having done some driving in regional Victoria years ago car drivers are the most brain dead selfish people out there. Having said that in the last 5 years truck drivers respect for others on the road has gotten worse especially small and medium trucks.

    Everyone is in too much of a rush. If I'm doing the speed limit and someone is catching up to me when I get to a overtaking lane I slow down a bit to let them get past. I'll pull over sometimes.

    Driver a truck would n

  • skillet on 24/08/2023 - 17:55
    +2

    My experience is totally opposite. I've driven in many countries and big truck drivers in Australia deserves a respect. Most if not all are very professional and not aggressive. Yes they can be close to you bumper to bumper but that's when there's a congestion. I never seen any truck driver tailgate at speed when the driver is not hogging the right lane.

    • Ramrunner on 25/08/2023 - 10:34
      +2

      Yeah here in WA I find the truckies actually the best drivers. The amount of times they're actually helpful by signalling clear road if I can't see around them or they pull deeply left to allow me to overtake as they are entering a major road and getting up to speed or countless other encounters I think they're generally awesome.

      Annoys me when I see them leaving heaps of space when slowing for red lights and smaller cars diving in front of them and slamming the brakes to stop for said lights. Only time I see frustration in their eyes as they then have to try to pull up their weighty rigs.

      Might be because they have to go through a lot more training to get a license? We have a lot of new Australians here just driving on foreign licenses where rules may differ.

  • Smol Cat on 24/08/2023 - 23:59
    +3

    This has to be a troll. OP can’t be this oblivious about the one thing everyone hates while commuting. It’s too good to be true.

    • lltravel on 25/08/2023 - 14:25
      +4

      i dont think hes a troll, hes one of the many morons on the road

  • a-friend on 25/08/2023 - 01:22
    -1

    I ended up on rightmost lane on M80 today due to an erratic truck merging from left. It came so close that I had to change my lane, I was in the middle lane and was forced to moved right, I recon he didn't even saw my car. So now I am on the rightmost lane and I took a breath, before merging left. Suddenly I realised that I can't change lane, a bunch of imatient overspeeding (profanity) were changing lane behind me, overtaking me from the left. I was on speed limit, drove around 5 minutes with my left indicator on, in the rightmost lane, jeebus.

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2023 - 08:34
      +3

      I’d be very surprised if you actually had your indicator on for 5min. If you really did and didn’t just exaggerate the time, don’t ever drive on a motorway again.

      • Muzeeb on 25/08/2023 - 09:28
        +1

        5 minutes on the M80 will get you from the Tulla exit to the Hume Fwy exit. That's a lot of time stuck in a lane indicating. Lol.

    • Eeples on 27/08/2023 - 10:18

      But you saw the truck driving erratically.

      Next time slow down and let it go in front of you.

      You might think you shouldn’t have to; but it’s bound to be safer.

  • xers on 25/08/2023 - 06:45
    +6

    LOL OP is one of those idiots that almost everyone hates on the road, self righteous right lane hogger.

    Either this is a bad attempt at trolling or OP is completely oblivious and should just stop driving altogether.

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2023 - 08:35
      +3

      OP is legally fine to stay in right lane if they're at the speed limit.

      They are not fine to stay in the right lane if they are not overtaking. There’s literally a law about it.

      • Bren20 on 25/08/2023 - 09:55
        +1

        Yes, the same law says it doesn't apply in congested conditions

        • Euphemistic on 25/08/2023 - 10:09

          Be that as it may, no truck is going to tailgate and flash lights at you unless you should be moving left out of the way. They can see a lot further ahead and they’re not gonna bother getting you to move over if they’ll still be stuck behind a dozen other cars doing the same speed. They’re not gonna do it time and time again.

          If it’s congested, you’re basically all overtaking in the right lane.

    • keejoonc on 25/08/2023 - 09:38
      +1

      It can't be congested if the OP is supposedly doing 20km/h over the limit.

      • terrys on 25/08/2023 - 11:44

        I hope you never have to drive on a U.K. motorway.

  • smartazz104 on 25/08/2023 - 09:03
    +2

    For all those saying "keep left since you aren't overtaking", aren't trucks supposed to be speed limited? Why would they need to use the right lane then, they wouldn't be overtaking anyone…

    • Muzeeb on 25/08/2023 - 09:31
      +5

      The trucks are doing 102kmh because they understand how to calculate correct speed and minimise speeding fine risk. The majority in the right lane are doing 95 because they don't understand or care how to calculate accurate speeds.

    • Ramrunner on 28/08/2023 - 09:13

      Yes trucks are supposed to be speed limited.

      Keep left unless overtaking STILL applies. They are not mutually exclusive.

      Seriously all these defenders of sitting in the right lane - stop trying to justify. Just do it - them's the rules. Don't worry about other cars. YOU just to the right thing

  • Tapek on 25/08/2023 - 09:14

    To play devils advocate - if they are in the right lane doing the speed limit, there is a high chance they ARE overtaking everyone in the left lanes constantly. If it's anything like the M1 on the Gold Coast anyway where the 2 left lanes are for people who are scared to go over 80km\hr and the right lane is for tradies and truckers to do 130 and road rage at anyone doing the actual limit getting in their way.

    "bUt u aRe In tHe WroNg LAne!" puh-lease! so are you, and you are speeding!

    • Yawhae on 27/08/2023 - 09:26

      I've always found the the M1 to work like this. Left lane people do 95, middle people do 90km, right people doing somewhere between 85 and 120.

      • Eeples on 27/08/2023 - 10:28

        M1 between Sydney and Newcastle.

        Left lane 90 (or 110-140 ppl overtaking on left)
        Middle lane 105 to 115
        Right lane ppl overtaking 106 to 140

        Tail gating happens in right lane (at 106 to 140)
        Unsafe lane changes happen left back to middle lane (at 110 to 140)

  • keejoonc on 25/08/2023 - 09:36
    +3

    Sounds like a clueless driver who has no knowledge about the road rules are complaining about cowboy truck drivers. How interesting.

  • thanatos350 on 25/08/2023 - 09:56
    +5

    I spend a lot of time on the road, and truck drivers seem to be more courteous and conscientious than regular traffic.

    The exception are trucks carrying loads of rubble from construction sites. Those dudes can be kinda nuts and I imagine they are far less regulated.

    • Muzeeb on 25/08/2023 - 10:13

      You've summed up my observations perfectly.

    • geekcohen on 25/08/2023 - 12:06

      I spend a lot of time on the road, and truck drivers seem to be more courteous and conscientious than regular traffic.

      Agreed and if you are courteous to them, they will do the same.

      The exception are trucks carrying loads of rubble from construction sites. Those dudes can be kinda nuts and I imagine they are far less regulated.

      Yeah, because they are sometimes paid based on the number of loads, more loads they do, the more money they make.

    • pharkurnell on 27/08/2023 - 12:04

      I also agree.

  • geekcohen on 25/08/2023 - 12:05

    And do not get me started on those tradie ute drivers or the 4x4 drivers…

    So are you this right lane hogger on the monash?

  • Brick Tamland on 25/08/2023 - 12:10
    +4

    Dude just move over to a left lane and save the aggro and stress.

  • THL on 25/08/2023 - 13:57
    +3

    OP I hope you sincerely hand in your license if you have no idea how KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING works.

    It's drivers like you creating unnecessary traffic jam that I see every single day on freeway holding up other traffic because you think you're "just doing the speed limit". It has nothing to do with truck drivers or other drivers being aggressive.

  • gstfree on 25/08/2023 - 14:01
    +1

    I was told to send rego number (or footage if available) to the police or Crimestoppers.
    No matter what happened to the car in the front, tailgating by a truck cause significant safety hazard.

  • stedmaster on 25/08/2023 - 17:07

    OP must be a cyclist :P

  • CowFrogHorse on 25/08/2023 - 17:54
    -6

    You are part of the problem by being a slave and driving those distances.

    if you dont play the game you cant get hurt.

    • Yawhae on 27/08/2023 - 09:27

      What?

  • kaleidoscope on 26/08/2023 - 01:28
    +3

    So OP’s getting roasted for not knowing the keep left unless overtaking rule. Sure!

    But no one’s addressed the issue about why do tradies and truck drivers get a free pass for constantly speeding on the right lane… If right lane is for overtaking then why do most truck drivers I see on m80/ m1 hume fwy are always cruising on the right lane?

    • Ughhh on 26/08/2023 - 10:56
      +1

      why do tradies and truck drivers get a free pass for constantly speeding on the right lane

      They don't. You have to a idiot to put yourself in danger by trying to police.

      If right lane is for overtaking then why do most truck drivers I see on m80/ m1 hume fwy are always cruising on the right lane?

      Probably because they're like op? Others being idiots doesn't mean you should be too.

      • Ramrunner on 28/08/2023 - 09:18

        So many justifying their bad driving by pointing the pinger at others.

        If your mate Johnny jumps off a bridge….

        Jeez stop worrying about what others do, just drive to the best of your rule abiding ability.

        Mind you posts such as these will be become less frequent and I'd eat less popcorn.

  • core101 on 26/08/2023 - 11:22
    +1

    Speedometer accuracy gets worse with tyre wear. Bald tyres which have a smaller diameter, that cover less distance than reported, plus driving safely under the speed limit, in the right hand lane, will likely grind other driver's gears.

  • serpserpserp on 26/08/2023 - 17:23
    +3

    M80 is literally Mad Max most days. Welcome to the Thunderdome.

  • Toph Beifong on 26/08/2023 - 17:54

    In Perth the majority of drivers sit in the middle or right lanes. This leaves the left lane free. I set cruise to 104 and fly past everyone.

    • Muzeeb on 27/08/2023 - 13:55

      To be fair, most things are opposite in WA.

  • sajidmib on 26/08/2023 - 22:54
    +2

    Road rules all over australia.

    Keep left unless overtaking.

    Thats sums It all

  • congo on 26/08/2023 - 22:58

    I stay on the left, I have seen some crazy speeding truck drivers (and tradies/utes) who are definitely well over the speed limit.
    That's ok on multi-lane roads, but they also speed on smaller roads (such as residential/school areas) which is NOT OK.
    I don't care if they want an early grave, but they should not put others at risks.
    If you want to speed, do it on a racecourse.

    • Muzeeb on 27/08/2023 - 13:55
      +1

      If you want to speed, do it on a racecourse

      Just miss the horses please.

  • Motek Benzona on 27/08/2023 - 09:34
    +1

    Nothing is worse than idiots sitting in the right lane right on the limit or a bit under. People who do this are MORONS. I think their cars should be crushed and their license shredded. That is all.

  • ninnypoop on 27/08/2023 - 10:32

    I also drive the m80 ring road daily. I generally also sit in the right lane but according to my speedo im usually doing 105 - 110km/hr, which seems to be a true ~105km/hr.

    Im usually in the right lane cause at that speed (the speed limit) im still taking over 90% of other cars that I assume are following their speedo, which as others have pointed out are usually over reporting.
    So most are sitting at a true 90 - 95km/hr.

    I find its usually 4wd utes, commodors or bmw/aldi drivers that sit up my ass. But ill move over and let them past when i can, which is when there is a gap in the middle lane. They are usually clearly wanting to go faster than speed limit. Im happy for them to do so, but they can wait til I can safely let them past, and this genrally doesnt seem to get them too mad.

    And I have to agree, the amount of d*^k heads in 4wd ute's these days is ridiculous. I guess that kind of car draws a certain kind of person.. Usually the city kind who like to feel tough in their big car. Tradies aside, I see their use case; most those 4wds will never see dirt.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2023 - 11:03
      +1

      I have to agree, the amount of d*^k heads in 4wd ute's these days is ridiculous. I guess that kind of car draws a certain kind of person.. Usually the city kind who like to feel tough in their big car.

      -Yeah, they say: 'big car small d*^k or large p*^^y'.
    • Brick Tamland on 27/08/2023 - 11:50
      +2

      This is how I roll too. Aslong as is I am slightly faster than the general flow I stick to the right. But I keep a close eye on my rear view mirror and if I see someone travelling faster I move over when practical. I don’t care if they are speeding but I am not gonna block them and cause possible traffic problems. Safer to let them go really.

      • ninnypoop on 27/08/2023 - 14:37

        Agree 100%. I feel bad when they are stuck behind me and I can see they want to speed but I can't safely let them pass quick enough.

        As said, since I'm usually sitting close to or slightly over the speed limit they generally don't get to the point of beeping and flashing.

        The cars that do sit in the right lane going under 100km/hr and letting nonone pass are very annoying. And as you elude to, likely cause more problems by pissing everyone off.

    • Muzeeb on 27/08/2023 - 13:57

      I didn't know ALDI sold cars. TIL.

      • ninnypoop on 27/08/2023 - 14:32

        Haha. Good pick up.

  • Eeples on 27/08/2023 - 10:36

    I stay in the middle lane as I like to have exit strategies both sides in case of morons.

    Most times I sit a fair distance behind someone even going down to 105 at times.

    I overtake on the right at about 115 when I estimate I won’t be cutting off the speeders on the right.

    Occasionally I’ll over take on the left if there are many speeders in the right lane.

    I blink right and watch the right speeders to time my lane change back to the middle because some of those speeders might head back to the middle lane too.

    In my experience most drivers don’t see past their bonnet.

  • Wiede on 27/08/2023 - 11:59
    +1

    If you meet assholes all day you might be the (profanity)

  • pharkurnell on 27/08/2023 - 12:00
    +1

    Surely this is a contender of Troll of the year ?

  • Tuftsdude on 27/08/2023 - 13:05
    +4

    I absolutely hate M80 drivers like you. This is why we have unnecessary traffic. I regularly use the right lane and watch drivers in a similar situation to me have to zip through the lanes (adding to the congestion) to overtake the one or two inconsiderate & entitled drivers in the right lane every KM or so.

    It doesn't matter what speed you're doing in the right lane, if a faster vehicle is approaching, you move out of the way. Let the coppers deal with them if you're concerned and have nothing else in your life to worry about.

  • kerfuffle on 28/08/2023 - 03:21
    +1

    @sammyq just in case the comments here didn't help you understand that you're in the wrong: https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/is-it-illegal-to-stay-in-…

  • geekcohen on 28/08/2023 - 15:26
    +1

    And a new topic on the Car Expert Podcast, frustrating driver habits < Its about the right lane hoggers.

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