Police reports indicate that 68% of all fatal accidents between cars & trucks begin with an error on the part of the car driver. While truckers are constantly focused on safety as a part of their job, how often do drivers of smaller vehicles consider this important subject?
This article focuses on the many things smaller vehicles can do to share the road safely with larger vehicles such as buses and 18-wheelers. Please share this article with car drivers you know and help make the road a safer place for everyone.
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The Zones
Don't stay in their blind spots or "No Zones." Because trucks and buses are so much bigger than cars, they have bigger blind spots. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't see the truck driver's face in the side mirrors, the truck driver can't see you.
Don't tailgate. Trucks typically can't see anything less than 30 feet behind the trailer. Stay 100 to 250 feet back or follow the four-second rule. If you pass the same fixed point as a truck before reaching the count of four, you're following too closely.
Passing
Never pass on the right. Blind spots are even larger on that side.
If a truck is signaling to change lanes, give it room. The driver may be trying to avoid another vehicle.
After passing, change lanes only when you can see both of the truck's headlights in your rearview mirror. (Typically, when a driver flashes the headlights, it signals there's enough room to pull over safely.)
Never linger beside a truck.
When a truck passes you, stay right and slow down slightly.
Be aware that you will feel increased wind turbulence when passing a truck or when a truck passes you.
Just Doing a Job
If you are on a two-lane highway and a truck is coming toward you, stay to the right of your lane and slow down a little.
Always give trucks access to weigh stations.
When traveling in the right lane, safely move left to allow a truck to enter the highway.
Big Rigs Need Big Space
Give trucks and buses plenty of room at intersections. They both need extra space to maneuver when making turns.
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Leave plenty of room between you and a truck when coming to a stop on a hill. Trucks may roll back as the driver takes his or her foot off the brake to engage the clutch and accelerate.
Don't cut in front of trucks. Keep four to five car lengths between you and the truck. Loaded trucks can weigh 80,000 lbs and require the length of a football field to stop. |
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