Driving School Blog

Other motorists unintentionally cause 3 out of 4 truck-involved deaths.  Because of their size and weight, large trucks need more distance to stop and require additional lanes when making wide turns at intersections.  About 35 percent of all truck-involved fatalities occur in the blind spots, around the front, back and sides of the truck that cause smaller vehicles to momentarily “disappear” from the truck driver’s sight.

Here are some tips that as a motorist, you can apply to your driving routine to safely share the road with large trucks:

Move around trucks quickly.  Make yourself visible.  Do not linger in the blind spots and make sure you see the entire truck cab in your rear view mirror before signaling and pulling in front of the truck.

Keep a large “safety cushion” around trucks.  Following too closely greatly increases the chances of a rear-end collision.  Extend the distance as weather or road conditions deteriorate.

Never cut off a truck, force it to slow down, or stop suddenly.  Signal intended lane changes or turns well in advance.  Fully-loaded trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and need the length of a football field to stop.  In comparison, most cars weigh only 3,000 pounds.

Pay attention to a truck’s signals.  Trucks make wide turns at intersections and require additional lanes for turning.  Allow room for them to maneuver.

Slow down when a truck passes you, especially during bad weather.  Splash  or spray from their tires may reduce your visibility.

By remembering these tips, you'll do your part to safely share the road with large trucks and avoid potentially dangerous situations.