A truckload of information
We’ve seen this happen almost every day of our lives, but will it ever end? I’m referring to the drivers of large trucks being cut off by drivers. I often wonder why someone would put their lives at stake like that. Maybe they never really thought of the consequences to their actions.
I’ve often seen how a driver of a car will hover around the truck like a blanket around a child and when they’re given a chance, will dive directly in front of the truck. There’s a huge blind area around the truck and that makes it difficult for the driver of the truck to not only see the vehicle, but also the brake lights of the vehicle. If the driver of the car cut in front and then hit their brakes, a crash would be more than certain.
We need to respect the drivers of large trucks and give them as much space as possible. Trucks with a large, covered trailer can be a hidden danger to most drivers. Drivers wouldn’t know if the trailer was empty or full. So, because of this, treat the drivers of trucks the same; whether the trailer is empty or full. That is; give them space and time to respond to you and your brake lights.
I learned at a very early stage in my driving career that heavier vehicles take a lot longer to stop. After driving my dad’s small hatchback, I would get into his larger car and tow a camper. The car had been packed with camping gear and the first time I had to brake to stop, I almost missed the stop. I realized that I needed more time to slow down and stop because the heavier load. Truck drivers need the same, so give them a chance.
To allow the driver of a truck to know that you’re behind them, ensure that you can see the side mirror of the truck. If you can’t see the mirror, they most likely can’t see you and your vehicle. If you also increase your following distance to see their mirror, it will help you look further up the road to help anticipate potential problems. There’s also a blind area on the front right side of the truck. Avoid staying anywhere near the side of a truck, especially that side. If they had to switch lanes suddenly, you’ve got nowhere to go and the driver of the truck may not have seen you move up to the front of their vehicle.
Another danger is to be immediately in front of the truck. The driver of the truck wouldn’t necessarily see your brake lights if you hit them suddenly and with medium pressure. This would most certainly cause a major crash. Keep additional space between you and the truck behind you by either accelerating enough so you can see the entire windshield of the truck behind through your rear view mirror; or by changing lanes.
We must also remember that a truck regularly passes in the centre lane on a freeway, so if you’ve got a truck approaching you from behind, change lanes to the right. We’ll never get rid of trucks, so let’s learn to work together for a safer road. They’ve got my respect!
Great article! It is also very wise for anyone to avoid traveling in any lane beside a truck. Not so bad when the freeway is stop and go, but at high speeds, when I blow a tire on my truck, the tires are re-caps, and the entire tread blows off! Have heard of this causeing fatal accidents with small cars having the tread launch into the windshield. Very scarry for me too see a group of motorcycles riding alongside my truck, right next to the driver tires when the roads are hot. I wish they would just accelerate past me. I always end up slowing down untill that side of my truck and trailer are clear. Bikes do this when there is a side wind, and they are useing me to block the wind. Sitting in the cab of a truck it feels like a bomb explodes as it reverberates under the truck, look in the mirror, and there goes three foot of tread in one dirrection or another. We call them “allegaters”, on the CB Radio, as we notify eachother that there is one in a lane that we need to avoid hitting.
Thanks for the comment. I’m really happy to know you’re doing your part to help create space around your truck. Well done.
Recaps should be banned. If I had a flat tire and threw the flat in the road, I’d be arresested. Why should trucks get a free pass?
And I’m happy to give trucks plenty of room. However, trucks should be limited to right hand lane only everywhere.
Thanks for this post Scott. As a long time truck driver it is much appreciated. You hit on many key elements of the challenges we face driving a piece of heavy equipment on todays busy roads.
Always enjoy your posts!
Thank YOU Alan for your comment and support!