How to Drive Safely Around Large Trucks
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.”
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.
