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Driving Truck Smart is no accident.

Take care when driving around trucks. It may be the most important thing you do behind the wheel.
It's a basic concept: A truck simply does not drive like a car. They can't make the same sudden moves a car can, they have much larger blind spots, and they need a lot more room to stop. And with more than 6 million of them on our roads and highways, practicing a few simple methods of driving safely around trucks is a must for anyone who wants to live to drive another day. Statistics have shown that over 75 percent of auto vs. truck accidents are caused by negligent practices on the part of auto drivers. They're easy mistakes to make, but they're also easy mistakes to avoid. By remembering a few simple rules of thumb, and employing them whenever you're driving near a truck we can make the roads a much safer place for everyone.

Safety tips
Protect yourself, protect your passengers. Learn how to share the road safely with trucks and everyone reaches their destination in one piece.

Stay out of trucks' blind spots. Sometimes the need to pass the truck is unavoidable. But if you must do so, don't linger alongside them. All vehicles have blind spots, but a truck's blind spots are far larger than a car's which can result in highly dangerous, high-speed situations.
Always give trucks room in front. Never cut too close in front of a truck. Because of their increased stopping distance, cutting as closely in front of a truck as you would a car may be the last mistake you ever make.
Watch for wide turns. Trucks have a much wider turning radius than a car does so be aware of where they may need to go, especially in narrower urban environments. Close sidewalks, signs and utility poles, often cause trucks to cross the yellow line when making right turns, and the auto driver who is aware of this possibility is the driver who survives it.

How truck smart are you?

It's better to follow a truck pulling multiple trailers than to pass it.
True False
Correct
It's okay to pass multiple-trailer combinations as well as single-trailer trucks. However, whether you're passing on a two-lane road or an eight-lane highway, make sure you have extra time to get around these larger vehicles. On a level highway, it takes about three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car.

Wrong
It's okay to pass multiple-trailer combinations as well as single-trailer trucks. However, whether you're passing on a two-lane road or an eight-lane highway, make sure you have extra time to get around these larger vehicles. On a level highway, it takes about three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car.
When making right turns, trucks often pull into the left lane to let traffic pass on the right.
True False
Correct
Large trucks make wide turns on tight city streets. When turning right, trucks must swing wide to the left to keep clear of the curb. To avoid a collision, only pass a truck on the left, especially if there is a possibility that it will turn right.

Wrong
Large trucks make wide turns on tight city streets. When turning right, trucks must swing wide to the left to keep clear of the curb. To avoid a collision, only pass a truck on the left, especially if there is a possibility that it will turn right.
Anyone can be a truck driver.
True False
Correct
Although anyone can apply to become a commercial truck driver, all drivers must qualify for a commercial driver's license by passing written and driving exams. In addition, interstate drivers must be at least 21 years old. The U.S. Department of Transportation also requires that drivers are drug-free and in good physical condition.

Wrong
Although anyone can apply to become a commercial truck driver, all drivers must qualify for a commercial driver's license by passing written and driving exams. In addition, interstate drivers must be at least 21 years old. The U.S. Department of Transportation also requires that drivers are drug-free and in good physical condition.
Nearly everything you eat, wear, and use was carried by a truck.
True False
Correct
Trucks haul more freight and travel more miles than any other mode of commercial transportation. In fact, 77 percent of America's towns depend solely on trucks for their goods and services. If all commercial trucks stopped running today, it is estimated that America would come to a complete standstill in less than five days.

Wrong
Trucks haul more freight and travel more miles than any other mode of commercial transportation. In fact, 77 percent of America's towns depend solely on trucks for their goods and services. If all commercial trucks stopped running today, it is estimated that America would come to a complete standstill in less than five days.
Trucks require slightly more time and distance to stop and maneuver than passenger vehicles do.
True False
Correct
Due to their size and weight, trucks require more time and distance to stop and maneuver regardless of the speed they are traveling. As speed increases, the time and distance required to stop increases at a greater rate.

Wrong
Due to their size and weight, trucks require more time and distance to stop and maneuver regardless of the speed they are traveling. As speed increases, the time and distance required to stop increases at a greater rate.
Statistics show automobiles and trucks are equally responsible in truck/auto accidents.
True False
Correct
Trucks are responsible for less than 1/4 of the truck/auto crashes. One reason is that trucks tend to travel at a consistent speed with fewer lane changes than cars.

Wrong
Trucks are responsible for less than 1/4 of the truck/auto crashes. One reason is that trucks tend to travel at a consistent speed with fewer lane changes than cars.
When following a truck at night, use your high beams so the truck driver will see you.
True False
Correct
Your high beams will reflect in the truck's mirrors and may blind the driver. Be sure to dim your high beams whenever approaching another vehicle at night from either direction.

Wrong
Your high beams will reflect in the truck's mirrors and may blind the driver. Be sure to dim your high beams whenever approaching another vehicle at night from either direction.
After passing a truck and returning to the right lane, do not slow down.
True False
Correct
Maintain your speed and develop a safe space between the truck and your car. Trucks also take longer to regain their speed after being slowed down, and may slow the other traffic behind them.

Wrong
Maintain your speed and develop a safe space between the truck and your car. Trucks also take longer to regain their speed after being slowed down, and may slow the other traffic behind them.
Truckers have a great view of the traffic around them since they sit up so high.
True False
Correct
Trucks create numerous blind spots due to their size and height. It is true that the trucker can see a great distance down the straight road. However, the trucker has blind spots in front of the cab, on both sides of the rig, and in the rear of the trailer. It is important that drivers of other vehicles that share the roadway with the truck are aware of these blind spots.

Wrong
Trucks create numerous blind spots due to their size and height. It is true that the trucker can see a great distance down the straight road. However, the trucker has blind spots in front of the cab, on both sides of the rig, and in the rear of the trailer. It is important that drivers of other vehicles that share the roadway with the truck are aware of these blind spots.

Don't hang out in the No-Zone
The Key to Safer Highways: Know the No-Zone
The No-Zone is the area around the trucks where cars disappear into blindspots or are so close that they restrict the truck driver's ability to stop or maneuver safely. Both types of No-Zones greatly increase the potential for a crash.

Download Brochure (Adobe .PDF)

Know the No-Zone Campaign

See the summer 2008 "Know the No-Zone" campaign. Play the game and hear the radio spots. Click here

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