elephant race

English

Etymology

Calque of German Elefantenrennen.

Noun

elephant race (plural elephant races)

  1. (road transport) A situation in which one truck tries to overtake another at a slightly higher speed, blocking the road for passenger car drivers behind.
    • 2020 November 12, “The Elephant Race Explained”, in Gulf South Law Firm‎[1], archived from the original on 29 January 2026:
      The faster trucker often feels forced to get out of their lane to maintain speed, but this causes an elephant race. At a difference of 3-5 MPH, it might take several minutes before the faster driver has both passed the slower truck and moved far enough ahead to get back in their lane.
    • 2021 September 9, “The Truth About 18-Wheeler Elephant Races”, in Wood Law Firm‎[2], archived from the original on 29 January 2026:
      Merging too early could cause their trailer to impact against the slower truck. Which means elephant races aren’t over until both trucks are back in the travel lane.
    • 2022 January 18, “WHAT DOES AN ELEPHANT RACE MEAN FOR TRUCK DRIVERS?”, in Morris & Dewett‎[3], archived from the original on 29 January 2026:
      To help explain further, we need to understand what an elephant race means for truck drivers. […] Many truck drivers choose to pass, and elephant races are the result.

Translations

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