click here to view a video statement from our director

Sharing the Road: Helpful Tips for Driving Alongside Trucks

While being a truck driver is difficult enough on its own, the added distractions and obstacles that pop up as a result of traffic and other drivers can make the job all the more stressful. There are things we all can do to make truck driving easier for those who do it, though. These are practices we as drivers should all be following anyway.   

This one is addressing all drivers and covering how we can better manage sharing the road with the amazing men and women in the truck driving industry. Make the road a better place for truck drivers and yourself by practicing the following.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is always something you should avoid and strive not to do. Avoiding it is not only beneficial to truck drivers, but also to other drivers, as well as yourself. When you’re driving distracted, you’re driving recklessly. If you need some reminders as to what activities qualify as being “distracted,” refer to the list below:

-Texting, Tweeting, Snapchatting, and controlling music over your phone
-Talking on the phone
-Reading
-Rubbernecking
-And that’s just the beginning…

Stay alert, make sure you get adequate rest before driving, and know that the above distractions can and should wait.

Use Your Turn Signal  

And use it properly! A turn signal doesn’t count if you’ve already moved halfway over into the next lane. Turn signals are important all of the time, and especially important when you’re driving around large semi trucks and busses, which are harder to operate and come with larger blind spots.

Obey the Speed Limit

As a driver on the road, it’s important to follow marked speed limits, as they’re present for a reason. It’s all too common to get caught up in driving and find yourself going far over the advised limit, and sometimes under if you’re distracted. Keep yourself in check and implement cruise control on the interstate if you’ll be driving for a long period of time.

Pass Trucks Correctly

As mentioned above, trucks have larger blind spots than other vehicles on the road. When passing a truck, be sure to always do so on the left, where the truck driver can see you. Additionally, don’t hang out in a truck driver’s blind spot, as this is dangerous to both of you. When passing, implement your turn signal and give drivers a chance to see it. The reaction times on heavier trucks are much slower — they need more time to break and take longer to merge, turn, etc. Keep this in mind when maneuvering around them.