How to Drive Safely Around Trucks
How to Avoid Truck Accidents
Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles requires patience, vigilance, and a specific set of safety habits you can utilize when driving alongside trucks. The number one, most important rule to remember is that if you can't see the truck driver in their side mirrors, they likely can't see you. Large trucks have massive blind spots—often called "No Zones"—located directly behind the trailer, immediately in front of the cab, and along both sides of their rig. To avoid accidents, always pass quickly and decisively on the left side where visibility is better, and do not linger in the truck driver’s blind spots. If you need to merge in front of a truck, make sure you can see the entire front of the vehicle in your rearview mirror before moving over, as trucks require significantly more distance to stop than regular cars.
Maintaining a safe following distance (Assured Clear Distance Ahead) is critical when driving behind a semi-truck or commercial vehicle. Because trucks are high off the ground, debris can easily fly out from under their tires and hit your windshield and if a truck has to brake suddenly, like from a tire blowout, you need enough space and time to react. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least four seconds behind an 18-wheeler at when you’re driving at highway speeds. This buffer zone not only protects you from rear-end collisions but also gives you a better view of the road ahead, allowing you to anticipate traffic slowdowns or obstacles that the truck driver might already be reacting to.
Finally, always practice patience and predictability when sharing the road with heavy haulers. Large vehicles cannot maneuver like cars; they need lots of room for turns and can’t accelerate quickly. Never try to "squeeze" past a truck making a right turn, as they often need to swing wide into the left lane first. By signaling your intentions early, dimming your brights at night so you don't blind the driver, and giving them extra space during bad weather, you significantly reduce the risk of a collision. Safe driving isn't just about your own skills—it’s about respecting the size and limitations of the vehicles around you.