How to Drive Around Semis in Rain

When learning how to drive in the rain, it's wise to learn safety tips for driving around semi trucks. Most semi drivers are experienced professionals who are well versed in driving in poor weather; but all drivers need to understand how to share the road safely. The following steps will help you when you drive around semis in the rain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Stay out of danger zones. Semi drivers have blind spots around their vehicles. They're located immediately in front of the hood, next to the doors and beside the rear trailer tires. Road spray from rainy conditions adds to the lack of visibility. Never hover in a semi's blind spots, especially during rainy conditions.
2. Keep your lights on for better visibility. This is especially important when passing a semi in the rain. Blind spots and spray coming off the semi can make you invisible to the truck you're trying to pass. Sometimes the glow from headlights is the only indication to a semi driver that a car is attempting to pass. Simply turning on your low beam headlights, (brighter than running lights), can avoid an accident. (Don't use high beams as they're too bright to other drivers.)
3. Pass only on straight stretches of road. Keep calm and continue driving straight ahead with your windshield wipers on. Be prepared for road spray. When passing a semi, you can temporarily lose all visibility due to the spray coming off the truck's tires. Be ready for it.
4. Communicate with the semi driver. When a truck passes you, it can be difficult for the driver to know how far back your vehicle is--particularly in the rain. As the semi passes you, wait for it to clear your vehicle by a few car lengths, then flick your headlights off, then back on again. This indicates to the driver that he or she is clear to pull back into the lane in front of you. The driver may even flash taillights as a way of saying "Thank you."
5. Keep safe distances from all vehicles including semi trucks whether they're ahead, beside or behind you. Be aware that all vehicles need more time to stop in rainy weather. Heavy trucks require an excessive amount of space to stop safely.

Tips & Warnings

• Never pull in front of a semi and immediately turn or come to a stop. Trucks cannot stop quickly like cars do, particularly in poor weather. Cutting off a truck can cause a serious accident for both you and the truck driver.
• When flashing your headlights at a semi to signal that you have gone around him, don't flash your high beams. High beams cause a blinding reflection in side mirrors. Even if you have running lights, turning low beams off, then on again makes them flicker enough to catch the semi driver's attention.