How Do You Drive Safely Around Big Rig Semi Trucks?
According to the Department of Transportation, two-thirds of all collisions between big rig trucks and cars are caused by the driver of the automobile. These quick and easy tips will help you share the road safely with semis. Obviously, driving a tractor-trailer is very different from driving a car. Big rig truck drivers can see further down the road than you can in a car or SUV or pickup truck, but they can’t always see cars right around them, and they can’t maneuver nearly as quickly as you can. Look for the driver’s face in his outside mirrors. If you can’t see him, he can’t see you. Tractor-trailers have big blind spots on both sides where other vehicles are invisible to the truck’s driver. Never pass a big rig on the right. Drivers of semis cannot see cars along the entire right side of their tractor and trailer — and this blind spot extends as far as three lanes to the right. If you have to pass a semi, pass on the left where the big rig truck driver can see you. Don’t drive alo
