Sharing the Road with Large Trucks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that big trucks are four (4) times more likely than vehicles to get into collisions. Trucks are less maneuverable than vehicles and come with far bigger blind spots. The following are three major blind spots for truck drivers:

  1. The front of the truck.
  2. The left and right front sides.
  3. Behind the truck (if the truck is pulling a trailer, the blind spot is over 50 feet long).

It is up to you to avoid the blind spots, also known as ‘no zones’. Be sure not to cruise into a truck’s right side. If you find yourself in that position, pull ahead or fall back quickly. As you do, grip the steering wheel firmly, especially if narrow lanes force you to drive close to the truck. The airflow between the two vehicles may tend to draw them together unless you are on guard.

It is just as important never to tailgate. Tailgating can be fatal, especially if the vehicle ahead is a semi-tractortrailer. Stay at least 50 feet back if you expect the driver to see you. You know you have enough distance behind a truck or semi-tractor-trailer when you can see the side-view mirrors of the truck you are following. Always be aware of your position on the roadway as a semi-trailer in driving in urban areas make wide turns. Be alert for the lights and markings on all large vehicles.

Larger vehicles need more space to make a turn.

Show courtesy to the larger vehicle by giving the larger vehicle more space, which will help the operator see you.

If you cannot see the operator of the larger vehicle in their side-view mirror, then that operator cannot see you.

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Right
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Wrong
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