What Teenage Drivers Need to Know about Sharing the Road with Big Rigs

Every day, truck drivers around the world do crucial work that represents the bloodline of our economy. And while the average teenage driver doesn’t need to think about supply chain logistics, they need to keep the big rigs in mind when it comes to road safety. Learning how to share the road with these larger vehicles properly is something every young driver should learn early on — and we’re going to help with a couple of tips!

Semis and large trucks are different

Driving a heavy truck is a vastly different experience from driving an average passenger car. Considering that, it’s useful to keep the limitations of truck driving in mind because you’ll know what to expect from trucks out on the road.

For instance, truck drivers always contend with a smaller field of vision — with a couple of blind spots behind, in front of, and on the sides of their trucks. Also, regardless of the drivers’ reflexes — trucks have a longer stopping time. A rig that’s going 65 mph would require up to 200 yards to stop — that’s almost two football fields in length!

Because of their size, trucks can’t merge as quickly as other vehicles — and they’re harder to control in extremely windy conditions due to their large surface area. Also, trucks need much more room to make (particularly right) turns.

Be alert

With these differences in mind, what can you do to share the road with trucks safely? For one — you need to be more alert when a large truck is near you on the road. Their slower reaction times mean they won’t be able to change course as quickly to avoid collisions — so be aware of the weather, vehicle signals, and the general traffic flow at all times. That way, you’ll be able to anticipate problems and safely steer away if needed.

Keep your distance

The closer you drive to a big rig, the bigger your risk is of being unexpectedly in harm’s way due to rollovers triggered by strong winds, tire blowouts, or sudden stops.

So, regardless of whether you’re beside, in front of, or behind a big rig — make sure you’ve got enough space for maneuvering, swerving, or merging. Generally, it’s advisable to keep a nice following distance between the truck and yourself — at least four seconds.

Stay away from blind spots

For truck drivers, the right side of their truck is their biggest blind spot — at times, they might not have a clear view for more than three lanes. Also, they don’t clearly see in front of their cabin or behind their trailer. Don’t spend a lot of time in these blind zones so that the truck driver can clearly see you at all times.

Also, seeing as passenger cars generally go faster than trucks — you’ll likely be in a position to pass a nearby truck throughout your route. If you want to do so safely, drive closer to the hard shoulder than the nearby truck — and don’t linger as you’re passing, as this increases the chances of an accident.

Proper signaling

When traveling past or near a truck, it’s generally advisable to dim your bright headlights. If they reflect off the big truck mirrors, they can result in a couple of seconds of temporary blindness for the truck driver — which is all the time it takes for an accident to happen.

And as we’ve mentioned, big trucks are slower to react to other drivers merging, turning, or stopping. With this in mind, a truck driver will need to be signaled three seconds at the least before any changes — allowing them to move over or slow down.