How to Drive Safely Around Big Trucks

Trucks are a fact of life.

Anywhere you drive, you will undoubtedly encounter a big truck. From country roads to city streets, big trucks are everywhere. While it's the responsibility of every driver (car or truck) to maintain safety and drive defensively, you need to realize that trucks do not have the same stop and go capability as your car. To assume otherwise and drive carelessly or inconsiderately around a truck can cause accidents, injuries and even death.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Common sense
• Courtesy
• Turn signals
• Eyesight
• Thought

1. Stay in sight. Don't tailgate, don't pass on the right side when on a highway, and don't hang out by the back tires of the trailer. These are all places where it is difficult or impossible for a truck driver to see you.

2. Road rage versus a big truck is like bug versus windshield. Who do you think is going to win? Nine times out of 10, if a truck has done something you don't appreciate, it wasn't intentional, or perhaps you were hanging out in one of their blind spots. Tailgating, flashing your brights or signaling your disapproval with your middle digit will generally only make a truck driver laugh.

   One of the stupidest and most life-threatening acts of road rage that a car driver can do to a truck is to cut in front of it and then pull a brake check. To pull this kind of stunt is to risk being flattened, especially if there is no other means of avoidance for the truck. Where do you think the truck is going to go when you slam on your brakes in full traffic with all lanes occupied?

3. Obey common rules of driving, such as yielding when merging onto busy highways. The truck cannot always get over to the left lane to allow you entrance onto the highway. Either slow down or stop until there is an opening. Do not take your time merging into 70 to 80 mph traffic going 40 mph. This too can result in a flattening of your vehicle. Accelerate to merge.

4. In the city, it's a good practice to look at the rear of a truck before pulling up on the right side. For a truck to make a right-hand turn, it needs lots of room. Therefore, it may not be in the far right lane. If you see a signal blinking at you, this means that if you decide to pull up on it's right side, the driver may not see you and part, if not most, of your vehicle may end up underneath the trailer.

5. Step out of your "me" zone, and look around. When driving on the highway, pay attention to the traffic around you. Look out for the exits and entry ramps. Watch for stranded cars and trucks. Maybe even take a moment to watch out for what the truck will have to deal with.

Tips & Warnings

• Trucks are not your enemy. All it takes is a bit of consideration and the realization that you are not the only vehicle on the road. If you think it's easy to bring 40,000 pounds to a screeching halt, you try it.

• Try to appreciate big trucks for what they do for us and our economy. Your Jimmy Choo shoes and your 100-percent corn-fed Iowa prime rib traveled by truck, at least part of the way.

• If you're really determined to take your road rage out on a truck, you may want to consider the fact that truck drivers tend to band together when confronted with an irate "four-wheeler". They have CBs. They talk. They also have the capability to box you in, and or nudge you off into the median.

Resources

• National Highway Traffic Safety Association