Never cut off a truck.
Fully loaded trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football field to stop at 55 mph in ideal driving conditions, like dry pavement and good brakes. Most cars weigh only about 2,000 pounds.
No lingering.
There are four large blind spots, known as “no zones” around trucks where a car can disappear from view and the driver can’t see you.
Pass quickly.
Pass quickly and change lanes only when you can see both of the truck’s headlights in your rear-view mirror. Never pass on the right; a truck’s blind spot runs the length of the trailer and extends out three lanes.
Steer clear of blind spots.
Stay back 50 or more feet and leave four car lengths in front of the truck as a cushion. Following a truck too closely obscures your view and the driver can’t see you 30 feet behind the truck. A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t see the mirrors the driver can’t see you.
Look in the truck’s side mirrors.
When following a truck, if you are close enough that you can no longer see the mirrors, then you are in a “no zone.” A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t see the mirrors, the driver can’t see you.
Give ’em space and time.
Allow trucks adequate space to maneuver. They make wide turns at intersections and require additional space and time to make maneuvers.
