RoadSmart Report | May, 2002

Sharing the road safely with trucks

Vehicles on today’s roadways range from bicycles to large trucks pulling semi trailers. To share the road safely, it is important for drivers to understand the particular driving requirements of different vehicles. When sharing the road with large trucks, motorists need to be aware of how these tractor trailers operate.

“It is important that drivers are aware of a heavy vehicle’s special needs and limitations so as to better understand trucker’s moves and to be able to drive defensively,” said Brian Kline, SGI’s Manager of Vehicle Standards and Inspection.

SGI statistics show that in the majority of collisions between cars and large trucks, the car driver is responsible for the collision. In 2000, there were 32 fatal collisions involving semi-trucks resulting in 35 deaths on Saskatchewan’s roads. In 75 per cent of these collisions, the driver of the smaller vehicle was at fault.

“Because they’re large, trucks appear to be moving slower than they actually are,” Kline said. “Many collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles occur when a driver underestimates the speed of a semi and pulls out in front of the truck at an intersection on the highway.”

“It also takes longer to stop a large truck than a car, so a truck driver needs a longer following distance to be safe and in control. Do not cut in front of a truck immediately after you have passed it.”

“Another thing a driver can do to increase their safety around big trucks is to avoid a semi truck’s ‘No-Zone’,” Kline said. “The No-Zone refers to the blindspot areas around big trucks, where crashes often occur. Most professional drivers are experienced and can handle any given situation on the road. Unfortunately, none of this matters if the semi driver can’t see you.”

The shaded areas in the following picture indicate the No-Zone areas to be avoided when sharing the road with large trucks.

-a print quality version of this graphic is available by clicking here.

Just like cars, trucks have blindspots on both sides, but a truck’s are considerably larger. These blindspots can mean trouble if a trucker decides to change lanes and a car is in the blindspot. In addition to the blindspots on the sides of a large truck, drivers should also be careful around the front end of trucks.

Truckers sit up high and the hood of the cab obscures part of the road ahead. This is why when drivers in a car are passing a semi truck, they should make sure they can see the entire truck cab in their rear-view mirror before pulling in front.

“Remember,” Kline added. “The bigger the truck, then the bigger their blindspots, the more room they need to manoeuvre, the longer they take to stop and the more distance you need to pass them.”

Contact:
Brian Kline, Manager
Vehicle Standards and Inspection
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6189