Driving around a truck can be terrifying. The size and weight of a truck and the amount of cargo can frighten you. But you can do so safely, provided you take extra precautions.
Here are some important tips that can help you drive safely around a truck:
Stay out of blind spots
Due to their size, trucks have large blind spots, including the front, back and sides. Commercial trucks don’t have rear-view mirrors. Even with large side-view mirrors, a truck driver may see you when you think they would.
Therefore, when driving behind a truck, you should increase the following distance. If you want to overtake it, ensure you can see the driver in their side mirror. If you can’t, it’s possible they can’t see you either.
Be cautious about passing a truck.
When it’s safe to overtake, do not cut in front of the truck. Leave plenty of room before merging in front of it. The truck should be visible in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front.
Trucks take time to stop. If you cut in front, the driver may be unable to slow down quickly to avoid hitting you. Further, you should always pass a truck from the left lane. When you want to overtake, signal earlier, move to the left lane and accelerate.
Stay focused
You should always stay focused when driving, but you need to be extra careful when around trucks. Pay attention to the driver’s signals, and don’t take your eyes off the road.
Be patient
Patience is crucial when driving around trucks. Avoid honking or signaling the driver to speed up. This can distract both of you, increasing the chances of an accident happening.
If a truck hits you despite observing safety measures, get legal help to learn more about your options for compensation to cover you expenses and other damages.