Trucks have large blind spots that passenger vehicles often enter, increasing the risk of accidents. 1/3 of fatal accidents between trucks and passenger vehicles occur in the truck's front, rear, and side blind spots. It takes trucks much longer to stop than passenger vehicles - over 300 feet at 55 mph compared to 140 feet. When driving near trucks, drivers should maintain space, signal early, and avoid lingering in a truck's blind spots to reduce the risk of accidents.

1. 10 Tips
for Sharing the Road with Trucks

2. Avoid Blind Spots in Trucks

3. 413,000accidents caused by blind spots every year.

4. Semi trucks have
blind
spots…

5. Directly in front of the truck's cab.1

6. Directly in front of the truck's cab.1
Directly behind the trailer.2

7. Directly in front of the truck's cab.1
Directly behind the trailer.2
Along the driver’s side door and trailer.3

8. Directly in front of the truck's cab.1
Directly behind the trailer.2
Along the driver’s side door and trailer.3
Along the passenger side door and trailer.4

9. 1/3
of fatal accidents between a
passenger vehicle & semi truck
occur in 1 of these 4 areas.

10. blind spots?
So, what accidents
can happen in these
(click the white links for
more info on each topic!)

11. Underrides
The car slides under the trailer when the truck
brakes suddenly.
Sideswipes
The truck swipes a passenger car when changing
lanes.
Rear end collisions
The truck crashes into the back of your car when
you brake too suddenly (or you crash into the
truck if following too closely).

12. If you can’t see
THE DRIVER,
he can’t see you.

13. Pass trucks safely to minimize
the potential for an accident.

14. DO:
- Pass on the left side for maximum visibility.
- Maintain a consistent speed.
- Allow plenty of space between your car and the truck
when you merge back over.

15. Don’t linger near trucks and their trailers. The area immediately
surrounding a semi truck is the riskiest place you can drive in.
A number of dangerous scenarios
can occur in this space…

16. TIRE BL WOUTS
If a semi truck blows a tire, shreds can fly through
your windshield or under your car.
Caused By:
- Unglued re-treaded tires
- Careless maintenance
- Low tire pressure
- Too much weight

17. ROLL OVERS
If a truck happens to roll over while you’re driving
next to it, your car could get crushed.
Caused By:
- Carrying too much weight (top heavy)
- Taking a curve too quickly
- A heavy wind gust

18. UNDERRIDES
If a truck brakes quickly while you’re tailgating, your
car could slide under the trailer.
350people killed yearly in
underride accidents

19. RULE OF THUMB:
Leave at least a 4 second
following distance
between your car and
the truck in order to
prevent accidents.

20. Don’t cut off large trucks – it takes semis
twice as long to stop as a passenger
vehicles.

21. perception distance
Total Stopping Distance
reaction distance
braking distance

22. Perception distance:
The distance traveled before you
realize the need to brake.
 At 55 MPH, a truck will travel about 81 feet per second.
Average perception time is about 3/4 a second.

23. Reaction distance:
The distance traveled by the
time you move your foot to the
brake pedal.
 At 55 MPH, a truck will travel about 60 feet. Average
reaction time is about 3/4 a second.

24. Braking distance:
The distance the vehicle travels
while the brakes take effect.
 At 55 MPH, a truck will take anywhere from 300 to 390
feet to stop – approximately 4.5 seconds.

25. Stopping Distance at 55 MPH
Average Car:
5,000 pounds
140 feet to stop
Average Semi Truck:
80,000 pounds
300 feet to stop (a full
football field)

26. Caution:
This vehicle makes wide right turns.

27. Drivers must “swing wide” so they
don’t hit:
- Curbs
- Light poles
- Other
vehicles

28. Stay Back…
Do not rush into this space
between the trailer and the
curb! You could end up
wedged between the two with
a crushed car.

29. Don’t rush into the space between the curb and
truck!
Be predictable and practice
patience around large
trucks.

30. MOVING TOO SLOW?
Most company
trucks are
governed. This
means they cannot
drive faster than a
certain speed;
usually somewhere
around 65 miles
per hour. 65
SPEED
LIMIT

31. Lower your brights near semis. The truck’s
large side mirrors reflect bright lights into the
driver’s eyes, causing momentary blindness.

32. A truck driver travels half the length of a football
field in just two seconds of blindness at 55 mph

33. RULE OF THUMB:
Dim bright lights when
coming within 1 block of
an oncoming truck or
vehicle.

34. Signal sooner to give truck
drivers more time to prepare for
what you’re about to do.

35. RULE OF THUMB:
Signal for at least 3 seconds
before you make your
move.

36. Be cautious when merging in front of a
truck. Adjust your speed to get in front of
or behind the truck since semis can’t
speed up and slow down as quickly as
you can.

37. When a Truck Tries to Pass You…
- Decelerate slightly to minimize time needed for
the maneuver.
- You can also turn your lights off and back on to
signal to the driver that he’s clear to come over
into your lane.

38. Pay attention – no distractions!

39. of fatal crashes in 2010 were
attributed to distracted driving.

40. In 2010, distraction contributed to…
2/10crashes resulting in
injury
9/10crashes resulting in
fatalities

41. COMMON DISTRACTIONS
- Cell Phones (texting)
- Daydreaming
- Reaching for something/adjusting the radio
- Rubbernecking

42. Final Thoughts:
Practice these safe driving tips in order to make
the road a safer place. And remember, trucks
are generally safer than cars. But a collision
between the two can be deadly, so it’s
important that we all know how to share the
road with semi trucks.

43. Images
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/30701306@N06/6906216140/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/vissago/696864260/sizes/z/in/photostream/