{"id":307,"date":"2020-02-16T17:14:21","date_gmt":"2020-02-16T23:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onlinedrivingprofessor.com\/blog\/?p=307"},"modified":"2020-02-16T18:06:56","modified_gmt":"2020-02-17T00:06:56","slug":"texas-teen-drivers-driving-safely-around-trucks-and-other-oversized-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onlinedrivingprofessor.com\/blog\/texas-teen-drivers-driving-safely-around-trucks-and-other-oversized-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Teen Drivers: Driving Safely Around Trucks and Other Oversized Vehicles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever felt panicked or uneasy when driving near a truck or another oversized vehicle?<\/em> <\/strong>Well, there is no reason to be afraid of driving near oversized vehicles, but there are many reasons to pay attention and use extreme caution. Large trucks and buses have large blind spots, require long stopping distances, and make wide turns.<\/p>\n

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It is super important for Texas Teen Drivers to focus on safety when driving near an oversized vehicle. Part of a Texas Teen\u2019s Driver Education is learning, practicing, and becoming confident using safe driving maneuvers around large, oversized vehicles. Every Texas Teen Driver Education Course and In-Car Behind-the-Wheel Driving Lessons should include safe driving practices for driving around large trucks and other oversized vehicles. Driving confidently and safely around oversized vehicles is an important driving skill every Texas Teen should master before applying for their Texas Provisional Driver License.<\/p>\n

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Our Texas state and interstate highways are driven every minute of the day by large trucks and oversized vehicles. Texas has the largest highway and interstate network in the nation. Texas Interstate Highways I-40, I-30, I-20, and I-10 connect Texas to many western, southern, and eastern economic centers in the United States. According to The Texas Department of Transportation, in 2018, 465 fatal crashes involved a truck-tractor or semitrailer. As a result, it is critically important for Texas Teens to learn how to drive safely around large trucks and oversized vehicles. All Texas Teen drivers can learn to avoid accidents when driving near oversized vehicles. Let\u2019s go over each of the \u201cTen Rules of the Road\u201d<\/strong> when driving near and around large trucks and oversized vehicles.<\/p>\n

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Rule 1: STAY OUT of a TRUCK\u2019S BLIND SPOTS<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots on all four sides \u2013 the front, rear, and the right and left sides of the truck. Your mirrors can help you determine if you\u2019re clear of a truck\u2019s blind spots. If you can see the truck driver in their side mirror when you\u2019re behind the truck, the truck driver can see you. Staying further back (increasing distance from the truck) gives you a wider view of the road ahead, and helps the truck driver see your vehicle more easily. Texas Teen Drivers should keep a 6 second following distance<\/strong> between their passenger vehicle and any oversized vehicle. When you are driving in front of a truck, you should see the truck or oversized vehicle\u2019s windshield in your rear view mirror. A truck driver can\u2019t see your car if your passenger car is too close to the truck\u2019s bumper. All Texas drivers should<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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1. slow down and increase distance from an oversized vehicle, or<\/p>\n

2. quickly and safely move past an oversized vehicle, and,<\/p>\n

3. always stay visible to the driver of an oversized vehicle<\/p>\n

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Rule 2: PASS SAFELY<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Texas Teen Drivers should learn how to safely pass a truck. Let\u2019s go over the steps<\/span>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"1. Make sure the truck driver can see your vehicle. You should be able to see the truck driver of the oversized vehicle in the truck driver\u2019s side mirror.<\/p>\n

2. Signal with your turn signal, and signal early, so the truck driver has time to realize you plan to change lanes.<\/p>\n

3. Move into the left lane when it is safe to change lanes.<\/p>\n

4. Move past the truck quickly and safely. Don\u2019t linger in an oversized vehicle\u2019s blind spot.<\/p>\n

5. Make sure the truck or bus is completely visible in your rear view mirror before you change back into the right lane.<\/p>\n

6. If you plan to move back into the right lane, use your turn signal to notify the driver.<\/p>\n

7. Make sure there is extra space between you and an oversized vehicle before changing lanes in front of an oversized vehicle.<\/p>\n

8. Don\u2019t pass trucks and buses on hills or downgrades because they tend to pick up speed.<\/p>\n

9. When a bus or truck is passing you, stay to the right side of your lane, and slow down.<\/p>\n

10. Always give oversized vehicles extra space to change lanes, or merge in from entrance ramps.<\/p>\n

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Rule 3: DON\u2019T CUT It CLOSE<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Cutting in too close in front of another vehicle is always dangerous, but it is especially dangerous to \u201ccut off\u201d an oversized vehicle. If you move in quickly in front of an oversized vehicle from another lane, you\u2019re likely to be in their blind spot, and the truck driver may not see you in time. Even if you\u2019re visible, the vehicle may not be able to slow down quickly enough to avoid a crash because of the amount of time it takes an oversized vehicle to stop. How long does it take an oversized vehicle to stop?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2022 stopping time and distance for a truck or bus is much greater than that of smaller vehicles<\/p>\n

\u2022 stopping distance increases as the weight of the load increases<\/p>\n

\u2022 stopping distance increases in poor road conditions such as snow, ice, or rain, and<\/p>\n

\u2022 a truck traveling on a highway needs a distance of nearly two football fields to stop.<\/p>\n

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Rule 4: STAY BACK and GIVE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\"\"Tailgating a truck or bus puts you in the truck driver\u2019s blind spot. Because trucks are high off the ground, your vehicle could slide (or get pushed) under a truck in a crash. Keep plenty of distance when driving in front of, or behind, a large truck. It is good driving practice to change lanes, if possible, if a semi-tractor trailer is driving too closely behind you.<\/p>\n

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