'Just Be Holding Up Traffic:' Tractor Trailer Tries to Pass Another Rig. Why Are They Going the Same Speed?

A truck driver who regularly posts about the realities of his job recently uploaded a clip highlighting a speed dilemma those who commandeer big rigs often face. Facebook user Brandon Jones jokingly exposed the frustration that occurs when a truck driver tries to pass another rig that’s governed at the same maximum speed.

Jones’ video begins with a re-enactment skit of two truck drivers traveling at highway speeds in different lanes. A caption reveals that both are restricted to a top speed of 65mph. One of the drivers is going 65, while the other is going 66. In the caption, Jones adds, “Just be holding up traffic.”

“Truck drivers that are both governed at 65 mph trying to pass each other,” the social media user writes. The driver who wants to pass begins driving slightly faster, but still they’re neck and neck. Then the first driver motions at the second to slow down. However, the second waves his finger to indicate that he has zero intention of slowing down.

Being stuck behind two trucks as one tries to pass the other is a familiar experience for most people who've spent anytime driving on the highway.

People in the comments expressed frustration and amusement in turns

"Or when you're going 70 and they're going 60 and you get 90% [but] then they speed up to 72," wrote one exasperated driver.

Another added, "Obviously with company governed trucks, you can't even pass anyone."

Some offered driving advice.

A self-identified trucker advised, "If a driver sneaks up on me and starts passing me, I realize the rig is faster than mine. All the cars behind us can go faster than both of us. So I reduce my speed about 5 miles slower and speed up again after I see his tail lights. I send the go head light signal with my head lights. Then all the cars pass both of us. Cooperation goes a long way in reducing road stress."

Jones' reel has 1.1 million views as of this writing.

What Speed Are Tractor Trailers Governed At?

According to the transportation company Schneider, “many trucking companies do not allow their truck drivers to exceed 65 mph.” This is for insurance and safety reasons.

Some states also restrict the speed trucks can legally go to 65 mph or lower while allowing other vehicles to drive at higher speeds. For example, in California, Oregon, and Washington, trucks must drive at lower speeds than other vehicles.

So what are truckers supposed to do when they want to pass another truck that’s driving at a nearly identical speed? Schneider writes, “All Schneider drivers are allowed to exceed their governed speed slightly when passing other vehicles to help ensure that, when passing other vehicles, [they] are able to do so quickly and safely.”

Tractor Trailer Speed Governors

A speed governor keeps a vehicle from going above a set speed. Many school buses have these, as do golf carts and various commercial vehicles, such as tractor trailers.

The Hill writes that in 2016, a federal law was proposed that would require large trucks to be equipped with speed governors. These limiters restrict the maximum speed that trucks can travel. Proponents argue that restricting speed “can help truck drivers on long trips ensure they are maintaining safe road speeds while en route to their destination.”

However, as the Hill recently reported, the Department of Transportation (USDOT) has decided not to require hardware limiters on tractor trailers due to safety concerns.

In a June press release, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said these devices are hazardous for truck drivers who are “forced to go slower than the flow of traffic.” Moreover, the decision to do so was referenced as an effort to oppose “one-size-fits-all” mandates, USDOT’s release indicates.

Motor1 has reached out to Jones via Facebook comment for further information. We'll update this if he responds.