While driving you have to be very careful. You want to be able to get to where you need to be without any accidents. And when you drive, you have to remember you are sharing the road with other drivers, including truck drivers.
Driving alongside large trucks can be nerve wracking and dangerous if you do not know how to do so properly. Truck drivers in particular drive differently because of their specific vehicle. Because of the large size of the truck, they have longer stopping time, slower reactions, wind vulnerability, and wide turns. They also have reduced field of vision because of the multiple blind spots around them.
When driving alongside them, here are some things you must do:
Give them space. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and large trucks. Driving next to a truck increases your chances of a fatal accident. You should keep four seconds or more between yourself and the truck driver. DO NOT TAILGATE A LARGE TRUCK.
Large debris may follow trucks and hit your windshield. A truck driver may hit the brakes before you realize that you should stop. Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots on all four sides. Avoid driving immediately in front of a truck if you can drive somewhere else that would be safer. If you move in quickly, you’ll likely be in a blind spot. If you can't see the truck mirrors, they can't see you.
Be aware of wide turns. Trucks need more space to turn. Stop before stop lines at an intersection so that you can give trucks plenty of room to get through without hitting you.
Never “block the box” at an intersection or stop in front of the line. Never try to squeeze by or get between a turning vehicle and the curb. Watch for turn signals on trucks, and be careful not to pass a truck with a signal to turn in any direction.
Pass safely. If you have to pass a truck, make sure you pass them using the left lane. NEVER pass on using the right. Make sure you pass them quickly. Make sure you can see the driver in the vehicle mirror. Do NOT pass them on downgrades. When a bus or truck is passing, stay to the right and slow down.
Be patient. Trucks and buses need time to accelerate. Honking, screaming out your car, driving aggressively, weaving through, etc. can cause dangerous accidents and collisions. Avoid cutting off trucks.
Be a responsible driver. And of course, making sure you follow the laws and rules of safe driving, helps to ensure you are being accident free.
Rules such as: not driving under the influence, no texting while driving, staying focused on the road, etc. will decrease your chances of getting into an accident.
If you, or someone you know have been involved in an auto accident, call Your Accident Your Money at (888) 766-6398