How to Drive Safely Around Large Trucks

By: Somerville Hino   |   05 Sep 2017
Cars driving by Truck Driver

For people who drive dump trucks, large delivery trucks, 18 wheelers, etc. there are a lot of hazards to look out for. From pedestrians to other trucks, a truck driver has to incredibly careful and alert at all times. Above all other hazards, cars remain the biggest challenge for any driver. It’s not really their fault, though, if a person hasn’t driven a large truck, how are they supposed to know the challenges that come with it?

 

If you’re an average Joe or Jane, you likely don’t know why driving large trucks is a difficult task, so we put together a quick and easy guide for the average commuter out there. By understanding each other's challenges, truck drivers and everyday drivers can exist together in harmony … or at least learn how to accept one another.

 

A Commuter’s Guide to Trucking Challenges

Turning

The larger and longer a truck is, the more space it will need to turn a corner. You’ve likely seen 18-wheelers taking up two lanes of traffic as they turn a tight corner. It’s important to remember this and not try to pass a truck on the right while it turns a corner.

 

“As the trailer begins to follow the truck around the corner, the distance between the curb and the trailer will close in and will crush anything that gets in that spot.”

- Smart-Trucking.com

Stopping

Driving close to a truck can be dangerous for a few reasons, but at the top of the list is the fact trucks with heavy loads need a longer distance to stop than an empty truck, or your average car. A delivery truck filled with pallets and heavy equipment, as an example, can be hauling tens of thousands of pounds of extra weight, and the faster a truck is driving the more momentum it creates; stopping 10 - 20,000 lbs of extra weight going 80 km/h is no easy task. If possible, keep a little extra distance between your vehicle and any large truck.

Never Assume

The fact is, driving any sort of large truck isn’t an easy job and 99% of truck drivers hold safety as a top priority. Knowing this, it’s always a good idea to make your life and the life of the trucker a little easier, by never assuming. If you think a truck driver sees you, there’s nothing wrong with waving or even giving a polite honk to ensure they know you’re around them. If you hear the backup beeping start, be conscious of where the truck is going. A little goodwill goes a long way.

 

On behalf of truck drivers everywhere, thanks for reading and looking out for us on the roads.

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