Trucks are extremely large and travel long distances. Many things can go wrong quickly if you’re not driving safe.
The Risks Driving Around Large Trucks
Roll Overs
Rigs are at greater risk for rolling over because of their size and weight. Rigs could roll over for being too top heavy, high winds, or taking a curve too quickly.
Wide Turns
Trucks make wider turns to avoid hitting the curb, light poles, or anything else by the road. In order to do this, they usually leave a wide space to the left/right of the truck. Do not pull into this space or you could end up wedged between the two with a crushed car.
Download Resources from our Respect the Rig campaign sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Safety Tips
Also…
- Don’t Cut Off A Truck – Do not cut in front of a truck because they can’t see directly in front of their rig. It also takes trucks a longer distance to stop, and cutting in front of them before a stop light increases the risk of a crash.
- Let the Truck Pass You – Reduce your speed slightly when a truck is trying to pass you. This makes it easier for them to get around your car.
- Lower Your Brights Near Semis – Trucks’ large side mirrors reflect bright lights from other vehicles into the driver’s eyes.
Large Trucks by the Numbers
- There were 17,136 vehicle crashes involving a truck in Texas in 2014.
- It can take a fully loaded truck an average of 525 feet to come to a complete stop. That’s the length of a football field and a half!
- Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s as much as six elephants.
- Truck drivers travel a total of 140 billion miles in the US each year. That’s almost 300,000 round trips to the moon!