– Why do HGV/Semi trucks feel the need to overtake each other when they’re cruising at a very similar speed?
In: Other
Because the vast majority of us get paid either by the mile, or we get a percentage of the load, as opposed to getting paid by the hour. Therefore, the faster we get to our destination, the more we get paid.
The time that we are allowed to be driving is also strictly regulated and monitored, and since the people that set our loads up are sitting at a computer, they often can have unrealistic expectations about what we can accomplish.
Add to that the fact that some places will choose not to even unload us for many hours if we are late, even if it’s not our fault, and we can get pretty desperate to get there on time.
A lot of trucking is getting some place just in time. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve reached a destination with less than a minute left before running out of time and having to either park on the highway for 10 hours until our clock resets, or having to violate DOT law, which could cause us to incur heavy fines and penalties, should we get pulled over within the next 8 days.
A difference in 0.5 mph might not mean much to a regular driver, but to a trucker, that difference could mean hundreds of dollars.
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