USA Trucker Subculture 1950's - 1980's
In the 1950's, pressure from police on the trucking industry, as well as the use of the CB radio by American truckers caused an interesting rivalry between the two groups. Truck drivers were seen by police as a criminal element, as many truckers engaged in nefarious activities such as smuggling of contraband, speeding, not paying tolls, and fudging log books. Truckers were also known for engaging in fist and knife fights. This gave them a reputation something like Hells Angels, The Outlaws, and other biker gangs, although they were organized through communication via CB radio rather than a specific gang leader. (CB stands for 'Citizens Band'.)
Notice two things in these video's: #1 - the interaction between the police and the trucks on the highway, and #2 - special slang used by the truckers. This slang was used to keep police from understanding who was doing what at any given time. (Very useful to smugglers!) The truckers slang also had a '10-Code', similar to the code police still use too alert each other to the specifics of crime.
So what happened to the police/trucker rivalry you ask? Well... In the early 1980's larger trucking companies took over inter-state hauling, and tougher legislation was enacted to cover crimes that occur in multiple states. Also, a government database connected police computers at the city, state and federal levels. You could no longer commit a crime and escape by running across the border to another state.
Notice two things in these video's: #1 - the interaction between the police and the trucks on the highway, and #2 - special slang used by the truckers. This slang was used to keep police from understanding who was doing what at any given time. (Very useful to smugglers!) The truckers slang also had a '10-Code', similar to the code police still use too alert each other to the specifics of crime.
Click to viewSo what happened to the police/trucker rivalry you ask? Well... In the early 1980's larger trucking companies took over inter-state hauling, and tougher legislation was enacted to cover crimes that occur in multiple states. Also, a government database connected police computers at the city, state and federal levels. You could no longer commit a crime and escape by running across the border to another state.