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Road safety from a truck driver's perspective

through a blind spot on the left and cannot be seen; if the driver needs to maneuver to meet an emergency or to avoid debris on the road, you will be in the way. If the truck hits the debris, it could flip out from under the wheels of the truck right into your vehicle. If one of the truck's eighteen tires blows out while you are alongside, your vehicle is in a vulnerable position. Pass the truck and get on. On the other hand, when a truck is passing you, do not speed up. Adjust your speed slightly to allow the truck to complete the pass as quickly as possible.

4. In high traffic, slow moving situations, if you see a gap between the truck and the vehicle in front of it, do not pull into it. Again, that is the truck driver's safety cushion. This is another danger zone for you and a blind spot for the driver, since small vehicles cannot be seen over the truck's large hood when the smaller vehicle is positioned immediately in front of the truck. Also, stopping and starting a heavy truck is hard on the equipment and on the driver; in slow moving traffic, truck drivers try to maintain a slow, steady pace to avoid the constant stopping and starting. Pulling into this cushion of space directly in front of the truck doesn't get you moving any quicker, and it often causes more congestion when the truck must stop to avoid hitting you.

5. Trucks are larger and heavier than your automobile which makes them less maneuverable. They have as many as eighteen gears forward and take much longer to reach the traffic flow speed. When approaching an upgrade, you might see a truck speed up in order to get a run at the grade. This is done so as not to obstruct traffic by slowing too quickly before reaching the summit. Do not assume the driver is racing with you. That driver is trying to get up the hill with a minimum of traffic disruption. The safest and most courteous action for you is to pass quickly and be on your way. If traffic necessitates your following the truck up the hill, try not to be stressed and remember the truck is not deliberately trying to hold you up.

6. When entering onto a multi-lane highway and a truck has moved into the left lane to allow you to merge smoothly, do not run along in the right lane beside the truck wondering why it does not speed up and pass you. Chances are that truck's engine is governed not to exceed the 100/kph speed limits on our Ontario highways. It is up to you to adjust your speed and move out of the way as quickly as possible so the truck


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Road safety from a truck driver's perspective

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