Tips for Auto Drivers Who Share the Road with Large Trucks

Millions of passenger cars, buses, lorries, and tractor-trailers travel on our roadways. These massive semi-trucks transport vital supplies, parts, animals, and equipment for businesses and customers. We need these enormous trucks for economic reasons, but sharing the road with them may be risky. When driving near a tractor-trailer, be extremely cautious and take additional care.

Even with a trained and attentive truck driver behind the wheel, a tractor-trailer is a potentially deadly vehicle due to its vast size and weight.

Tips for Auto Drivers Who Share the Road with Large Trucks

If you are driving near a tractor-trailer or semi-truck on the highway, you may lessen the danger of a major collision by taking additional precautions. Here are some safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

Avoid truck blind spots.

Despite the presence of truck side mirror, the driver still has blind spots—areas immediately behind and on both sides of the truck where the driver cannot see cars. Look at the truck; if you can’t see the driver’s side-view mirrors, you’re in the blind area and the driver can’t see you. If your car is parked close to a huge truck, either drive past it or back up. If you are passing, attempt to drive on the left side of the car where the blind spot is less.

Never drive too closely behind a heavy truck.

Maintain a distance of 20 to 25 car lengths between your vehicle and the rear of a heavy truck. This additional space will enable you to see ahead of the truck. If there is heavy traffic or an accident ahead, you will be able to stop or safely direct your car away from the hazard.

When passing a heavy truck, use additional care.

After passing a heavy truck, do not return to the traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rearview mirror. Leaving this additional space allows the truck driver to slow down or halt if anything unusual occurs on the roadway ahead.

Always have in mind

That a fully loaded tractor-trailer or semi-truck needs up to 100 yards – the length of a football field – to come to a complete halt Maintain this safe distance regardless of how packed the freeway is. Do not take a risk if the truck driver disregards this margin of safety and follows your car too closely. Place your car in a different traffic lane.

Use your turn signals at all times.

while switching lanes Drivers surrounding you must be aware of what you are doing in order to maintain safe driving distances.