- Jena
Do not turn right in front of this truck
Updated: Feb 20, 2020
Ambiguity.
If I am reading it, and it does not make sense to me, is it my fault or the author’s fault?
Communication has to be two ways, doesn’t it?
So, I’ve never understood this sign that you see on the back of large trucks. It says this:
Do not turn right in front of this truck
And then I do what I always do, I try to figure out what that could possibly mean.
Option 1: If I am driving along and I happen to pass this truck and end up in front of it, then I am not to make any turns. I’m not sure why I can’t make turns, but I just can’t. The truck will explode if I turn to the right or the left while I am in front of THIS truck.
Option 2: If I am driving along and I happen to be in front of the truck, I should not make an immediate turn in front of the truck. Maybe I should get into the other lane and then turn? Or let a few cars get between me and the truck so I’m not “right in front“..??
Option 3: Or perhaps it’s only the right turns that are prohibited. Left turns are O.K.
Option 4: I can turn right or left, front or back, as long as it has nothing to do with THIS truck. Which is generally the way I interpret this passage. I just stay away from trucks that have ambiguous signage on the back.
Option 5: Look at the sign that is next to the ambiguous message. The sign shows a car passing the truck and immediately cutting off the truck (which happens to be on the right). So, we are not supposed to pass trucks and then get in front of them? That would make it impossible to not turn right in front of them either?
So, you see my dilemma. And the OCD side of me CAN NOT be behind trucks that have cryptic messages on them. I never hit that equilibrium of knowing what to do or how to do it. So, in desperation, I pass the truck (on the left side) and immediately get in front of them. Suddenly, all is at peace with the world. I think if they had not had that ridiculous sign on the back, I would have never thought to pass them.