Motoring
Safely navigating past commercial trucks: A guide for motorists
Passing a commercial truck on the road can be challenging, but truck drivers are often courteous to ensure your safety.
As the holiday roads get busy, cars and trucks need to practice safe and courteous driving. Here are essential tips for passing trucks and guidelines from truck drivers for festive season travel.
Truck drivers share guidelines for safe driving during the festive season:
- Maintain a safe travelling distance: It’s crucial to keep a safe distance from trucks due to their heavy loads, requiring significant stopping distances. Trucks need approximately 200 to 300 metres, or about 60 seconds, to come to a complete stop.
- Stay in sight: Always remain visible to truck drivers. If you can’t see a truck’s mirrors or cameras (common on modern trucks), the truck driver can’t see you. Avoid following directly behind a truck to stay out of blind spots.
- Avoid overtaking with sudden stopping: Never pull in front of a truck and abruptly brake, especially when going downhill. The momentum of a heavy load may make it challenging for the truck to stop, posing a risk, especially for trucks carrying liquid cargo.
Ryan Gaines, CEO of City Logistics, emphasises the importance of considering these guidelines for truck drivers. Many trucking companies prioritise driver training and maintain modern, well-equipped trucks to enhance road safety. By following this advice, motorists can contribute to safer travel conditions during the festive season.
Sources: Nikki Chennells and Arrive Alive.
