Driving with Big Trucks

I remember it vividly; driving through the Rockies late at night with huge trucks barreling down on me, shining their lights, my vehicle like a matchbox car in comparison to the giant behemoths closing in on me. It seems that more trucks than ever on the road.

According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration in about 3 of 4 fatal accidents involving a truck, the accident was not caused by the truck.

Here's some tips to safely share the road:

Pass quickly  Don't hang out next to a truck. If you intend to pass, do it quickly.

Pass on the left  While you should always pass on the left, it is particularly important with trucks.

Never Cut Off a Truck  They cannot break nearly as fast as a car and require much more time to act.

Use Your Turn Signal  Always use your turn signal to let trucks know what you are doing.

Don't Tailgate  Tailgating is even worse on a truck because you cannot see traffic ahead to notice that they are stopped. Just relax and give the truck plenty of room.

Be Aware of Turning Trucks  Many trucks take wide turns, swinging far out to the left before turning right. Don't try to squeeze in front of a truck while it is turning.

Trucks have Blind Spots Too  Many trucks have signs that say "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you." Don't hang out in a truck's blind spot.