Trucking Accident CB Slang & Terms

Greasy side up — A vehicle has flipped or rolled over with the undercarriage (engine, axles, greasy mechanical parts) facing upward. The most common CB term for a rollover. “You got a greasy side up at the 42, backed up a mile.”

Shiny side down — Same meaning as greasy side up. The painted “shiny” exterior is now facing the ground. Used interchangeably.

Rubber side down / keep the rubber side down — Everything is normal — tires on the road. Used as a farewell: “Keep the rubber side down, driver.” Means “drive safe, don't roll over.”

Keep the shiny side up — Same as rubber side down — a safety wish meaning “keep your truck upright with the painted roof facing the sky.”

On its side — A vehicle on its side (not fully inverted). Sometimes a semi tips onto its side without fully rolling onto its roof.

Fender bender — Minor accident with body damage but no major injuries or road blockage. “Just a fender bender on the shoulder, four-wheeler and a pickup.”

Pileup — Multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash, often in fog, snow, or dust. “Massive pileup at the 85, road's shut down, take the detour.”

Gawker block / gaper delay — Traffic slowdown caused by drivers on the opposite side of the highway slowing to look at an accident scene. Can extend for miles. “Gawker block eastbound, 3 miles of brake lights.”

In the ditch — A vehicle has left the road and ended up in the ditch or median. “Four-wheeler in the ditch at the 38, no blockage.”

Jackknife — A semi-truck has folded at the fifth wheel connection, with the trailer swinging around toward the cab. Extremely dangerous and usually blocks multiple lanes.

Bumper sticker — A vehicle following too closely (tailgating). “You got a bumper sticker on your back door.” Also means a car that is stuck to your rear bumper.

Alligator — Tire debris on the road (from a blown tire, it looks like an alligator lying on the pavement). Can cause severe damage if hit at speed.

Yard sale — Debris scattered across the road from an accident or lost cargo. “Yard sale in the hammer lane at the 55 — looks like somebody lost their load.”

Bambi — A deer (dead or alive) on or near the road. “Bambi on the shoulder at the 22, watch out.” Deer strikes cause significant damage to trucks.

Parking lot — Severe traffic backup, traffic at a standstill. “It's a parking lot from the 40 to the 50, nothing moving.”

Gumball machine / disco lights — Emergency vehicle with lights activated. “Gumball machine coming up fast in the hammer lane.”

Meat wagon — Ambulance. Darker CB slang, sometimes used to indicate serious injuries at an accident scene.

Wrecker / hook — Tow truck. “Wrecker's on scene, they're trying to get the greasy side up back on its wheels.”

Hammer lane — The left lane (passing lane/fast lane). “Greasy side up in the hammer lane.”

Granny lane — The right lane (slow lane/travel lane). “Fender bender in the granny lane.”

Yard stick / mile marker — Mile marker. “At the 42 yard stick” means at mile marker 42.

Flip-flop / come back — The opposite direction. “Watch for it on the flip-flop” means the hazard is on the other side of the highway.

Back it down — Slow down. “Back it down, driver” is a warning to reduce speed due to a hazard ahead.