The document discusses safety tips for driving around large trucks. It notes that truck drivers drive over 400 billion miles annually and the trucking industry has a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. While collision rates between cars and trucks have improved, car occupants remain most vulnerable. The document provides tips for merging safely with trucks, avoiding truck blind spots, passing trucks safely, and intersections. It emphasizes leaving space for trucks which require more distance to stop fully loaded, and gives backing and safety advice.

1. BRING SAFETY HOME
LET’S

2. SAFETY IN TRUCKING

3. SAFETY IN TRUCKING
• truck drivers drive over 400 billion miles annually, an increase of over 146
percent over the last 25 years
• the trucking industry has a ZERO tolerance standard in place for drug and
alcohol use
the facts

4. • Unfortunately, even though collision rates between cars and tucks have im-
proved over the years, it is important to note that it is the automiblie occupants
who are most vunerable.
• Between 1996 and 2006 there has been a large increase in registered large
trucks and miles travled has nearly doubled but the vehicle involvement rate
forlarge trucks in fatal crashes has declined by almost half.
SAFETY IN TRUCKING
the facts

5. • How to keep out of a trucks’s blind spots
• How to merge safely with big trucks
• How to exit safely around big trucks
• How to pass big trucks safely
• How to stay safe when a truck is backing
• How to stay clear of spray and splash
• Where to stop safely and completely to stay out of a truck’s way
• in intersections.
what to learn
SAFETY IN TRUCKING

6. • Buckle up. Seat belts can save lives in a collision.
• Secure loose objects. Loose objects are projectiles.
• Proper tire pressure, including the spare.
• Check the horn, wipers and that lights are working.
• Check fuel and fluid levels.
• Properly adjust mirrors.
• Allow enough time to get where you are going.
• Turn off cell phone.
SAFETY IN TRUCKING
remember before turning the key

7. THE RIGHT TO DECIDE

8. • Every driver has full authority to temporarily discontinue a trip when conditions
(health, fatigue,weather,road conditions,etc.) become topo hazardous to drive
safely
• Only you control the vehicle you are driving.
THE RIGHT TO DECIDE

9. LEAVE SPACE

10. LOADED TRACTOR WITH HOT BRAKES 430ft
LOADED TRACTOR WITH COOL BRAKES 256ft
LOADED TRACTOR WITH HOT BRAKES 249ft
EMPTY TRACTOR TRAILER 243ft
PASSENGER CAR 190ft
A COMPLETE STOP TAKES TIME
It can take more than a football field for a fully loaded tractor trailer to come to a
complete stop.

11. A COMPLETE STOP TAKES TIME
It can take more than a football field for a fully loaded tractor trailer to come to a
complete stop.
LOADED TRACTOR WITH HOT BRAKES 430ft
LOADED TRACTOR WITH COOL BRAKES 256ft
EMPTY TRACTOR TRAILER 249ft
TRACTOR ONLY 243ft
PASSENGER CAR 190ft

12. 7 SECOND RULE.......4 FOR CARS
Recomended safe following distance, under ideal conditions. Use a landmark as a
reference point. When vehicle ahead passes reference point, count off 4 seconds,
you are following to closely!

13. THE NO ZONE

14. DON’T HANG IN THE NO ZONE
If you can’t see the driver in the mirror, the driver can’t see you. If you must enter a
trucks’s “No Zone” area, leave it or pass through it as soon as possible.

15. THE SAFE MERGE

16. • Get up to speed, match the flow of traffic, pick your spot and go
• Start looking for a spot in traffic to “blend into” ling before you arrive at the
joining of roadways.
THE SAFE MERGE

17. • Always make sure the truck has enough room.
• Remember, trucks may not always be able to move over - there may be a
vehicle beside them.
THE SAFE MERGE

18. GIVE TRUCKS PLENTY OF ROOM
If you can’t see the driver in the mirror, the driver can’t see you. If you must enter a
trucks’s “No Zone” area, leave it or pass through it as soon as possible.

19. THE SAFE EXIT

20. DON’T MAKE THESE MISTAKES
Don’t pass to make the exit if less than a mile from you exit. Remain behind the
truck and make your exit.

21. THE SAFE PASS

22. • Cutting in front can cut your life short.
• Can you see the headlights and the trucks front tires in your rear view mirror?
THE SAFE PASS

23. THE INTERSECTION

24. STAY BEHIND THE WHITE LINE
If you stop past the line, trucks and other large vehicles won’t be able to complete
their turns without hitting you.

25. THEY MAKE WIDE RIGHT TURNS
When approaching an intersection check for turn signals and the position of the
truck. If the driver indicates a right turn, stay back. Don’t squeeze by on the right.

26. BACKING AND SAFETY

27. • Never drive around the rear of a backing truck.
• Don’t pull out to pass a truck unless you can clearly see your way foward.
BACKING AND SAFETY

28. WHAT WE LEARNED

29. • truck drivers drive over 400 billion miles annually, an increase of over 146 per-
cent over the last 25 years
• the trucking industry has a ZERO tolerance standard in place for drug and
alcohol use
• Unfortunately, even though collision rates between cars and tucks have im-
proved over the years, it is important to note that it is the automiblie occupants
who are most vunerable.
• Between 1996 and 2006 there has been a large increase in registered large
trucks and miles travled has nearly doubled but the vehicle involvement rate
forlarge trucks in fatal crashes has declined by almost half.
WHAT WE LEARNED

30. • Every driver has full authority to temporarily discontinue a trip when conditions
(health, fatigue,weather,road conditions,etc.) become topo hazardous to drive
safely
• Only you control the vehicle you are driving.
• Get up to speed, match the flow of traffic, pick your spot and go
• Start looking for a spot in traffic to “blend into” ling before you arrive at the
joining of roadways.
WHAT WE LEARNED