This blog is intended to create awareness about heavy trucks not using their brake lights. The best way to do that is to bring you and, hopefully, many others into a conversation about the problem.
Yesterday, I outlined the problem and explained the main reasons why trucks and brake lights seem to be exclusive to each other. I would like to point out that some truckers are aware of the problem and do what they can to warn following drivers that they are slowing. These truckers may pull the "Johnny Bar" (trailer brake bar) which will lights up the brake lights. While this action, or tapping the brake pedal, may illuminate lights briefly, these methods do not indicate deceleration during the whole range of braking.
Most truck drivers I talk to and have met agree that the brake pedal is a tool to keep the truck stopped while waiting to move forward. Is that an accurate statement for you? How often do you step on the brake pedal? If you are a truck driver, do you alert people behind you that you are slowing down? If so, what is your preferred method for doing this? Do you always do it or just when you are in heavy traffic? Have you ever had a close call or a near miss that really got your heart pumping?
I would like to hear from truck drivers about this, as well as from drivers who have had close calls behind trucks, whether it was with the truck or maybe even a car following the truck whose driver slammed on the brakes to avoid the truck when they realized, almost too late, that the truck was slowing down.
Please join me in conversation. Share your stories and opinions or just comment. Let me know if I hit a home run or say something stupid. I look forward to your input.
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