PHILADELPHIA, PA — A new survey of more than 3,000 truckers has singled out Philadelphia drivers as the worst in Pennsylvania and among the most challenging in the nation. The poll, conducted by American River Wellness, ranked Philadelphia 47th nationally for unsafe driving behaviors around trucks, with Pittsburgh and Allentown following at 53rd and 62nd, respectively.
Truckers described Philadelphia’s congested streets and aggressive driving culture as a dangerous mix. Motorists were cited for cutting across lanes without warning, braking suddenly in front of semis, and lingering in blind spots. Narrow interchanges and heavy construction were also flagged as compounding risks.
Pittsburgh drew criticism for steep hills and confusing merges, where drivers often dart in front of rigs or brake abruptly in tunnels. Allentown was noted for reckless merging and suburban drivers who cut too close to trucks at ramps and intersections.
Nationally, truckers said last-second cut-ins were their top frustration (36%), followed by speeding past rigs only to slow down (28%) and blind-spot tailgating (21%). Nearly three-quarters identified texting and phone use as the single greatest danger from nearby motorists.
Still, respondents highlighted small gestures that make a difference, such as staying out of blind spots, leaving extra space, and signaling safe merges.
“Truckers are trained to expect the unexpected, but they can’t bend the laws of physics,” said Graham Sargent of American River Wellness. “When motorists crowd a semi, they’re not just making life harder for drivers – they’re putting everyone on the road at risk.”
The findings underscore the heightened tension on Pennsylvania’s roads, where freight traffic and commuter congestion increasingly converge.
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