All posts tagged road tips

For better or for worse, cars and trucks share the road. For the most part this arrangement works out without incident, but at other times the confluence of large and smaller vehicles can prove deadly, usually for the driver of the car and his passengers. Indeed, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 78 percent of all fatalities involving wrecks between trucks and cars involve the occupants in the passenger vehicle. 

Keeping everyone safe on the road begins with you. For car drivers, there are several things to keep in mind including the much quicker maneuverability of passenger vehicles and the very long stopping distances of the big trucks. 

Big Truck Blind Spots

Don’t expect that the truck driver will see your every move. In fact, you are often in one of his blind zones and in danger of causing a wreck if the trucker must stop or maneuver quickly. That blind zone is all around the truck — front, back and on the sides. 

A good rule of thumb when following a truck is as follows: if you are behind the truck and you can see his side mirrors, then he can see you. If not, you need to provide enough distance to show up in his mirrors.

Provide Ample Turning Room

Trucks need plenty of room to make turns and will often sweep left before turning right. The mistake that you make is not anticipating this types of moves and attempting to squeeze by on the right.

Never pass a truck on the right — always pass on the left. Pay attention to the driver’s signals and respond accordingly. 

Cutting Off Is Deadly

You may know full well that trucks are lumbering giants. And that is why it is so easy to move over and pull in in front of a truck, especially if you are attempting to fill some empty space between the truck and the vehicle in front of that truck.

Closing the gap between your vehicle and the truck is very dangerous. Trucks and buses for that matter take much longer to stop and if you cause the driver of a much larger vehicle to suddenly hit the brakes, the consequences could prove deadly. No amount of rear padding on any passenger vehicle is sufficient to absorb the impact of tens of thousands of pounds of weight bearing down on your vehicle.

Pay Attention, Always

A distracted driver is a dangerous driver, one that can cause an accident. Hang up the cell phone, never text and drive, and let someone else play with the audio system or set the navigation system coordinates before you start your trip. 

When your full attention is not on the road, you may find yourself doing things that you might not otherwise do such as slip over to the next lane, fail to judge the space between you and the car in front of you, or misjudge the speed of the 18-wheeler that is bearing down on you.

Drive Safe and Sober

You can increase the chances that you will be in a mishap or come through an accident the worse for it by not abiding by several considerations at all times. For starters, always buckle up and insist on the same for each of your passengers. Children should be placed in booster seats with babies and toddlers riding in car seats.

Never drive under the influence either through illicit drugs, prescription medicines or alcohol. Your ability to react properly under these conditions has been severely compromised. Add that to the slower stopping and maneuverability of a big truck and you have a recipe for disaster in the making.

Staying Safe

Of course, if you notice that a truck driver is acting irresponsibly, note the truck’s license plate number and the phone number that is typically listed on the back of the truck. Contact that number and describe what you have seen and never take matters into your own hands. Notify the police if you cannot get through to the trucking company.