How do you drive safely around huge trucks?

Question

I don't get intimidated around small trucks. But I have to admit I feel intimidated driving around huge trucks carrying big cargoes or fuels.
I always try to be discreet whenever I see such massive trucks by making sure I am within safe distance and not too close.
What are the other precautions people should take driving around huge trucks?
Also, when you are driving next to or behind a huge truck and the truck is trying to make turns, you MUST stay put till the truck completely finished making turns, right?

Answer 1

I'm a trucker. I'll tell you my pet peeves. Number one, people that would rather drive 57 mph in front of me than 65 mph behind me! Number 2, people that speed up around me, cut in front of me, sometimes 5-10 feet of my front bumper, to get off at the exit ramp. this one is extremely dangerous, they have no idea what's coming up beside me on my left. Three people who hang out beside me, on EITHER side for too long. I like having the lane next to me open just in case. Four, this one really get's my temper riled, people who IGNORE my turn signals! I can't tell you how many times per day I get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle, or maybe the right hand lane is coming to an end, I need to get over, and no one will let me. People behind me in these situation that come out from behind me to pass me without letting me over are the worst. What do you think that light on my trailer is trying to say? that's the side I want you to pass me on?

Answer 2

There is no need to be intimidated by big trucks. Truck drivers are professionals (well most of us are, anyway) and want to get home to their friends and family in one piece, too. Some tips on safely sharing the road with trucks:

1. When behind a truck, try to keep a safe distance back. Try as we may to avoid it but sometimes we run over debris on the road such as rocks, pieces of tire and lumber. These debris may get kicked up into the air and if you're too close, right through your windshield.

2. When passing a truck, do so ONLY on the left side and as quickly as possible. NEVER hang beside a truck for long periods of time. When you are done passing, make sure that you can see the whole front of the truck before crossing back over in front of it. Signal for 3 seconds and get it done.

3. When entering a (freeway/expressway/highway/turnpike) limited access highway, use the speedup ramp for that purpose. Speed up and get on the highway if you can. If you see a truck and don't think you're going to make it, then slow down and let the truck pass. The second or two you would save by cutting in front of the truck is not worth either your life or the life of the truck driver.

4. If you see a truck trying to make a right turn, do NOT get in the space between the side of the truck and the curb/wall/etc. The truck driver will not see you and you will get crushed.

Happy motoring!

Answer 3

thank you for the questions...

i am a trucker and i wish there are more concerned drivers like you.
you don't have to be intimidated around big trucks, most drivers are trained and know what they are doing. most of them don't risk doing anything stupid, they loose their license and don't have an income.
when you encounter a big truck, pass on the left, but pass quickly and avoid driving beside them for a long time. you might get stuck in the blind spot and if the truck has to change lanes or avoid something on the road, he might not be able to see you.
under no circumstances should you pass a truck on the right, the blind spot there is even bigger. also, when the truck makes a turn, DO NOT cut into his lanes. because of the size, the truck might have to swing into the other lane to complete a turn.
give the truck driver the room he needs and nobody gets hurt. better to wait an extra 5 seconds but arrive alive and in one piece :)

safe driving

Answer 4

It's no big deal, there is no need to be intimidated. When you need to pass, be sure you pass on the left side and go on around, don't get half way and then slow down. Truckers watch their mirrors and they see and know about when you are going to pass. if you get halfway and hang there, he could lose you for a moment that make him a little nervous at times. Another thing is observe what he is catching up to and try not block him, also when you get back in the right lane, give him plenty of room and go on.

Answer 5

Stay clear of big trucks as much as you can.
Remember if you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you.
Never stay in the blind spots of trucks, accelerate and move to a safer area.

Put as much distance between you and trucks as you can

But be aware that like you, most truckers want to get home all in one piece too. They don't set out to hurt others.

And how many times has a big truck let you merge in when there was a ton of traffic?? A ton of times, I'm sure.

So wave to a trucker and know that he's just trying to get thru the day.

Answer 6

I know one of the surest ways to piss off a truck driver is to pull in front of them and slow down.

You should be looking for trucks behind you as well. Never pull out in front of a truck. They cannot stop as soon as a car and you could end of causing a terrible accident. Often times if a truck slams on brakes it can cause the trailer to jacknife. This can be catastrophic for traffic on either side of the the truck.

When driving behind a truck remember that if you can't see his mirrors he can't see you. Pass very carefully, should never pass on the right. Most will put their turn indicators on way before they want to turn giving any traffic on their right time to back off.

Another good reason to stay clear of big trucks is their tires notoriously de-tread. You could get 20 pounds of hot rubber through your windshield before you know it.

Hope this helps

Answer 7

Pass on the left and not on the right. You can flash your brights when you get into the passing lane to warn the trucker that your passing.... Also say your in the right lane and a truck in the left lane wants to pass you and come over into the right lane. At night they can't see what's on the right side of them that well and have poor depth perception. So to let him know it's ok to get in the right lane and has cleared your vehicle.Turn you headlights off and on real quick. Usually when the trucker finally gets into the right lane he'll flash his flashers a few times as a way of saying thank you.

Answer 8

Be cautious. I don't get between trucks. If there is a panic stop
you can get mushed. Give them room to turn right.remember Large trucks with loads require time and distance to stop.
Above all keep your eyes on the road.

Answer 9

my dad drives on the on the left side of trucks most of the time. Once our window was open and it was smelly of of a sudden. I figured out there were pigs in it. I would when I turn 16.

Answer 10

do not stay along side big trucks they have blind spots where if they have too make a sudden move you could be hit the best thing too do is to pass a truck if you need to