Driving next to large trucks can be a bit intimidating, especially in smaller cars. However, sharing the roads with them doesn’t have to be a nightmare. There’s a few things you can do to make things easier and safer for both you and them…
Large Trucks: Smart and Safe Driving
Watch for “no-zones”
One thing to be mindful about when driving near large trucks are their “no-zones”, or blind spots. As a driver, you’re certainly aware of the blind spots you may have in your car. While rear and side-view mirrors can help, you still want to check before switching lanes for any cars which could be in those spots.
For large trucks, they have much bigger blind spots due to their size. This includes right in front of the truck, off to the left and right of the cab, and behind the trailer. Remember: if you can’t see the truck driver’s face, then they can’t see you either.
Give them space
It’s also a good idea to give large trucks more space than you would other vehicles. The thing about trucks is that they’re quite heavy, and so they require a lot of power to keep them moving. This also means that it takes them longer to slow down and come to a stop. As a result, it’s hard for them to react to sudden, immediate changes on the road.
If you cut in front or a truck and then slam on the brakes, then it becomes very dangerous for you, the truck driver, and whoever is behind them. Rather, you should always try and give trucks plenty of space. That way, they don’t have to worry about not being able to come to a stop before hitting whoever might be in front of them.
Don’t take chances
When you see a large truck about to pass into your lane, it can be tempting to try and speed past them. While you might not want to get stuck behind them, doing this can be pretty dangerous. It could place you into one of their blind spots, or cause them to have to swerve and brake. All of these can result in some nasty accidents.
Therefore, don’t take your chances when around a truck. It might be annoying to be stuck behind them for a bit. But, it’s much safer than trying to speed on past. Don’t forget that it’s always better to deal with a slight inconvenience rather than a major accident.