Modern trucks have the same safety features as new cars. They too have electronic stability systems, ABS or electronic braking and cruise control. But even with these features, the fact that trucks are bigger and heavier than cars means they can’t change course or stop as quickly. So for your safety and that of other road users, here are some tips on how to share the road safely with a heavy vehicle.
In over two-thirds of all crashes between a truck and another vehicle, the other vehicle is the cause. How you drive could determine whether you and a truck driver get where you want to go safely.
Stay seen and don’t get too close. A truck driver only knows you’re following if you can be seen. Always make sure you can see the driver’s face in the truck mirror. If you can’t see the driver, you can’t be seen and you aren’t safe.
Another good safety measure is the two-second rule. Use a roadside post or other marker to count off a two-second time gap between you and the truck in front. That gives you a safe following distance.
Allow plenty of time and space for overtaking. Overtaking a big rig travelling at 90km/h takes about 18 seconds. That’s a long time to spend on the wrong side of the road. So make sure you have plenty of clear road ahead before you pull out, including at least 100 metres of open road in front of you when you pull back in. Or better still, wait for a passing lane.
Don’t cut the truck off. Passing, pulling in quickly and braking hard can put you and the truck driver at risk. Keep your momentum up so that the truck doesn’t have to suddenly brake to avoid you. If you cut in front of a truck, the driver may not be able to see you. Make sure you can see the truck driver in your rear mirrors before you pull into your lane.
Watch your lights at night. Trucks have a lot of mirrors. At night these concentrate the beams from your lights right into the driver’s eyes, which can be blinding. So dip your headlights as soon as they pick up the rear of a truck.
Watch that swing. Trucks may have to take a wide swinging turn at intersections or around tight corners. Always watch a truck’s indicators. If you try to slip between a truck and a corner, you could run out of a truck driver’s mirror view and into trouble.
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