Sports cars and Trucks

Cars and Trucks driving styles
One of the reasons that it's so dangerous to drive in Phoenix, Arizona (aside from the fact that I myself am on the road occasionally), is the incompatible mix of sports car and truck etiquette. In the past four years I have been fortunate to observe these two dramatically-different styles of driving and hopefully this web page will answer some questions for anyone (car driving style or truck driving style) who has wondered “what are they doing?” Keep in mind that this is a style of driving so you will see truck-driving styles in people with cars and vice-versa. In the mind's eye a truck is a heavy-duty pickup and the car is a sports car.

Phoenix driving car style	Phoenix driving truck style
Ten miles over the speed limit is considered the minimum speed in Phoenix, so any self-respecting car driving must exceed that considerably. After all, cars are low and nimble and can take evasive action quickly in the event of an emergency and those four-wheel disc brakes can stop on a dime.	The same ten-miles-over-the-speed-limit minimum speed rule applies to the truck-driving style. After all, trucks are big and other people on the road will get out of your way. Unfortunately, the laws of physics being what they are, a large heavy truck will take much longer to stop than a little car. The wise truck driver invests in a heavy-duty bumper to protect headlights from damage when running over small obstacles (see city driving car style: four-wheel disc brakes).
Parking car style	Parking truck style
Car-parking style takes into consideration the finish of the car first and foremost. The best parking spot is far away from anyone who might open a door and “ding” your car. Finding a spot in the shade is a bonus. Staying away from where the truck-driving style of driver parks is important (see parking truck-style at right).	The appropriate truck-style parking is right in front of wherever you're going. “No parking” signs, red-painted curbs, etc. don't apply. Of course, if you're only going into a building “for a minute” , the truck-driving style driver leaves the door open and the engine running. “The shortest distance between two points” is truck-driving style and since painted markings like stripes, etc. in parking lots don't apply, the truck-driving style driver will drive diagonally across parking lots. Like car-drivers in Phoenix, truck-drivers are in a hurry to leave places but once they reach their destination, their pace is leisurely (see below, getting out). With the thought in mind that they might need to leave in a hurry, the wise truck-driver backs into a parking space (if he's obliged to use a parking space). Since there's really no way to signal to the person behind you that you've stopped and want to back up, it can cause some distress to the car-driver to suddenly see back-up lights come on in a parking lot and a large truck that can't see you coming your way.
Getting out car style	Getting out truck style
After running red lights, swerving through traffic and exceeding the speed limit as if they were being chased, sports car-style drivers are leisurely once they have arrived at their destination. After all, how much of a hurry can they be in if they park so far away in the lot? Admiration for their car is the priority here. After setting up the windshield shade (to protect the leather seats), the car driver hops out of the car and begins inspection. Note that the driver-side door is only open for an instant. This is because of the fear that someone might get too close while parking or driving by and “rip it off”. Walking around the entire car must always include flicking a speck of dust of the tires and checking for dings, paint chips, etc. The ceremony of the car cover is required, including the lock.	Like the car-driver, the truck driver is also leisurely in terms of exiting the vehicle. The ceremony begins with opening the left-hand door (notice that in cars it's driver-side, passenger side and with trucks it's left/right). Like the car-driver, the truck driver has been driving frantically, swerving, changing lanes, etc. and so the “load has shifted” in the cabin. Truck-drivers utilize their space well and the appropriate storage system is the dashboard and the other seat. Since tools must be handy at a moments notice, all of them must ride up front with the driver. “Looking for something” for a long time is required of getting out truck style as the left leg dangles out of the open door. Note that while parked in a fire lane, for example, this will essentially cause all traffic to need to “detour” around. Truck parking style is always “just for a minute” , anyway, even if the truck sits there all day.
Car-pedestrian etiquette	Truck-pedestrian etiquette
Sports car drivers live in fear of overheating their engine by idling too long. To avoid this risk, the car driver ignores, pedestrians, bicyclist, etc. and just “keeps moving” . Once the sports car-style driver exits the vehicle, the “NASCAR driver” illusion goes away. Without the sunglasses and driving gloves, the sport-car driver is very uncomfortable and vulnerable as a pedestrian.	Truck-driving style is compatible with pedestrians. Trucks are designed to haul cargo and people are included in that category. Once a truck-driver becomes a pedestrian, that person usually needs to carry stuff so he makes things easy on himself. The truck protects people so if the vehicle has to drive through mud, get scratched, etc. that's OK. Bringing people and things to a work site is what a truck is for. Although there is occasionally the stereotypical “little man in a big truck” , most truck-driving style drivers tend to be very comfortable once they have become a pedestrian.
Car school-zone driving etiquette	Truck school-zone driving etiquette
Both car and truck style drivers honor the 15 MPH school zone speed limit in Phoenix. The sports car driver sees it as a yellow flag. From NASCAR's web page: A yellow flag means that there is a hazard on the race track and that the drivers should slow down and stay behind the pace car. This flag typically is displayed when there has been an accident. However it can come out for other reasons such as, light rain, debris, an emergency vehicle needing to cross the track, a NASCAR tire check or even if an animal has wandered out onto the track. During a yellow flag situation it is absolutely forbidden to pass the pace car unless specifically told to by NASCAR (such as the "Lucky Dog"). Doing so will result in a penalty.	Truck-driving etiquette includes driving slowly if the conditions demand it (even if someone is tailgating, it doesn't matter). Truck-driving style demands being careful around pedestrians (see above) and children also fall into that category.
Moving the vehicle car style	Moving the vehicle truck style
“I need you to move your car” can strike terror into the heart of the sports-car style driver. This is because it includes face-to-face (pedestrian) contact and implies that the car driver has not chosen a good parking spot. You must never, ever, ask a car-style driver to move the vehicle, it will be a terrible insult.	The truck-driving style driver is not offended when asked to move the vehicle. Car-driving style drivers may be reluctant to ask, but this is not considered a breech of etiquette for truck-style drivers. Face-to-face (pedestrian) contact is a normal part of truck-style driving and trucks are usually left where they are until somebody asks them to move it. If you are a car-style driver, you may be surprised to find that a wishful look and some eye contact is usually all that is required to get the truck moved.
Recognizing the two different driving style types
This is much more difficult than it seems. After all, you can't assume truck-driving style just because someone is driving a truck (they may have borrowed it) or car-driving style because it's a car. There are some clues, though. If you see a car parked the facing the wrong way on a street, it's a truck-driving style driver. After all, keep in mind that the car-style driver doesn't want to have to move his vehicle or get a ticket for illegal parking, etc. The truck-driver assumes that if the vehicle is parked wrong, it can be moved. A parked vehicle (car or truck) left with the door open is being driven by a truck-style driver. Same with engine running and no one in it, etc. Backing into a parking space is a good clue that you are dealing with a truck-style driver. In fact, looking at parking technique is probably the best clue. On the open road, look for anonymity when trying to identify the sports car-style driver. Although this is no guarantee, the sports-car style driver tends to drive with the windows rolled up (even on a nice day), wears sunglasses (even when it's cloudy) and avoids eye contact. In Phoenix, both styles of drivers tend to drive fast and maniacally and run red lights so it's best to wait for the light to get "good and green" before you proceed through an intersection. Yes, the person behind you will honk but they haven't read this web page, have they? If it annoys you, take comfort that you'll see them T-boned at the next intersection. If you're driving a car, it's a good idea to get in the middle lane between two big trucks (not difficult to find in Phoenix) and let them “block you” as you proceed through the intersection. If you're driving a truck, you'll still get killed in an intersection collision, but at least you have the comfort of thinking you won't get hurt because you're in a truck. I hope that this web page wil lhelp car-style and truck-style drivers understand each other. Comments and corrections are welcomed.