Maine Professional Drivers Association
"Promoting Safety, Courtesy, and Professionalism"
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MPDA
PO Box 5672
Augusta, ME
04332-5672
207-318-7395
The
Role Of Trucks In America Driving on America's
highways, and city streets is enough to challenge anyone's skill,
concentration and patience. There are more than 188 million vehicles -
both cars and trucks - registered in the United States. America
depends on trucks just as you depend on your family car to transport you
to and from the office, the grocery store, or the shopping mall. We
depend on trucks to do more than transport goods such as the fire trucks
and emergency vehicles that bring help in life threatening situations.
Look around. On highways and city streets trucks are at work right now.
Every minute of every day trucks are working in thousands of roles,
performing tasks that are as different as the sizes and shapes of the
vehicles themselves.
This information is designed to help you better understand the differences
between cars and trucks. By reading and following these simple tips we
will become YOUR PARTNERS IN HIGHWAY SAFETY.
Trucks Have Blind Spots
Every vehicle has blind spots and in general the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spot. There are three blind spots on a truck - the driver's side, passenger side. and the rear of the trailer. If you are following a truck, make sure your vehicle is positioned so the truck driver can see it in his side mirrors. The blind spots on either side of the truck are the most critical areas You can never feel safe in any blind spot and should avoid traveling in these spaces for more than a few seconds. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't see the truck driver in his mirror, then he can't see you.
For more information on this you can check the Department of Transportation's web site. As well as the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety web site on this subject.
Following
The minimum safe following distance is two seconds. You can easily check your following distance while you are driving. You must first pick out a point of reference, such as a telephone pole or sign. You should be able to count 'one thousand-one', 'one thousand-two' between the time the vehicle ahead of you passes the reference point and the time that you reach that point. This formula works at any speed, but should be increased to four or more seconds in bad weather. A car following a truck too closely does not have a clear view of the road ahead and may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid rear-ending a truck. At night always use your low beams when following any vehicle. Bright lights can blind the truck (or car) driver when they reflect off the side and rear-view mirrors.
For more information on this you can check the Department of Transportation's web site.
When Passing A Truck
Check your front, sides and rear, signal your intentions and move into the passing lane only if it is clear and you are in a legal passing zone. Complete your pass as quickly as possible - do not stay alongside the truck. Signal your intentions and move back in front of the truck only when you can see the front of the truck in your rear-view mirror. Maintain your speed. Never pull in front of a truck (or any other vehicle) and slow down. This takes away the safety cushion of the drivers you have just passed and presents a potentially dangerous situation if you have to stop suddenly. Remember at 55 m.p.h. it takes an 80,000 pound truck 300 feet to stop.
Backing
If a truck driver is attempting to back up, you should let the driver safely complete the maneuver. Backing is the most difficult task they have to perform behind the wheel. If you see a truck driver attempting to back up, stop and allow the vehicle to complete the maneuver safely before proceeding.
Right Turns
When driving in city traffic, pay special attention to trucks' turn signals. Large trucks must make wide turns on tight city streets. Sometimes they must leave an open space to the right just before the turn. To avoid an accident, don't pass a truck on the right if there is the possibility that it might make a right turn.
For more information on this you can check the Department of Transportation's web site.
The Best Way To Merge Onto The Highway
When entering the flow of traffic, you should signal your intention, yield to the traffic already on the highway and increase your speed as you move into the acceleration lane. Adjust your speed according to the posted speed limit, look for a gap in the traffic and merge carefully. Remember, if you are already in the flow of traffic, slow down or move to an outer lane to allow merging vehicles to enter the highway safely and smoothly. Trucks may need extra time to adjust to traffic patterns when entering the highway. Be cooperative and give them extra time and space to adjust to traffic patterns.
Construction Zones
Construction zones are a familiar sight on the highways. Often, you may find the construction crews have closed off a lane. Be aware of the signs. The signs are placed up to a mile in advance of the construction zone. Do not wait until the last second to change lanes if you are in the one that is closed ahead. The time to move over is as soon as you can safely do so. Moving over early will help the traffic to move more smoothly and may prevent an accident.
