We share the road with large trucks every day but it is not uncommon for drivers of smaller vehicles to get a little anxious when they see a big rig in their rearview mirror or driving alongside them. If you get a little tense sharing the road with large trucks, here are some safety tips that may help you destress and avoid an accident.
Never cut in front of a truck. Fully loaded trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football field to stop. Most cars weigh only 2,000 pounds.
Since large trucks have a much longer stopping distance, you need to be able to see the entire front of the truck cab in your rearview mirror before it is safe to move in front of the truck.
Keep a safe following distance. Following too close to the rear of a truck makes it more difficult to react in time to avoid a rear-end collision. If you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, the driver most likely cannot see you. Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of semi-truck accidents.
A good rule of thumb is to keep 4 seconds or more between you and large trucks. This will help avoid sudden stops, a tire blowout, or a wide truck turn.
Avoid large truck’s blind spots. There are four large blind spots around trucks where cars disappear from view and the driver cannot see you – Front, Rear, Left-side, and Right-side No Zones. So, it is not a good idea to linger alongside a large truck.
Avoid the front of the cab and behind the trailer no zones. Stay back, do not tailgate, and leave 4 car lengths in front of a truck for safety cushions.
The right blind spot runs the length of the trailer and extends out three lanes.
Pass quickly, safely, and on the left side. Passing quickly helps you stay visible to the truck driver. Change lanes only when you can see both of the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror. Maintain a steady speed
Always signal your intention to change lanes or make turns. Truck drivers need more time to react to other drivers stopping, turning, or changing lanes.
Turn off or dim your bright lights. When passing or following a truck at night, always turn off or dim your bright lights because they can blind the truck driver when they reflect off the trucker’s large side mirrors.
Give trucks space. Large trucks make wide turns at intersections and require additional space.
Be aware. Don’t let yourself drive distracted by changing the radio, eating, or talking with passengers. Keep your proximity to large trucks in mind as you share the road.
Be cautious. If it is rainy or snowing and you are riding on slick roads, don’t get too close to the rear of the truck or even next to one because there is a chance the car will slide underneath the truck.
Avoid phone-related distractions. Stay off the phone. Texting and driving have caused fatal accidents. It’s not worth the risk involved.
Avoid driving when tired. Most truckers are pushing themselves to the limit to earn more money, which is why they tend to have higher rates of driver fatigue compared to other motorists.
Blind Spots. A CMV has limited visibility because of large blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. Other drivers and road users should strive to stay out of these “No-Zones.”
Longer breaking distance. Stopping distance increases even more when a CMV has a heavy load or there are road conditions like snow, ice, or rain. A fully loaded truck traveling under good conditions at highway speeds requires a distance of almost two football fields to stop.
Trucks take up more space on the roadway. CMVs generate wind gusts that can push smaller vehicles around. Never linger beside a large vehicle – speed up and pass safely, or pull well behind the vehicle.
Wide turns. CMVs need extra turning room. They may swing wide to make a turn. Anticipate that a truck making a right turn may initially move left to create enough turning space.
Graphics and talking points courtesy of FMCSA: Our Roads, Our Safety Campaign.
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