Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has partnered with AAA and two industry groups, the American Bus Association and the American Trucking Association, to expand its Our Roads, Our Safety campaign. The campaign, which initially launched in the summer of 2016, is intended to educate all pedestrians, bicyclists, passenger vehicle drivers, and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers on how to safely share America’s roadways.
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As part of its effort, the FMCSA is offering operating tips for all drivers that will improve roadway safety around large trucks and buses. Employers whose workers operate passenger vehicles as part of their jobs or who are concerned about commuter safety can use these tips to raise awareness among their drivers.
Safe Driving Tips
The FMCSA recommends that all passenger vehicle drivers follow these simple safety precautions while sharing the road with large trucks and buses:
- Stay out of the “no zones”—the blind spots at the front, back, and sides of the vehicle. Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots—what the FMCSA calls “no zones.” Drivers should assume that if they cannot see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, the driver can’t see them either. When they find themselves in a no zone, drivers should slow down or move ahead in order to stay visible.
- Pass safely. Like merging, passing involves moving in and through a CMV’s blind spot. Drivers should make sure they can see the driver in the mirror before passing. They should signal clearly, then move into the left lane and accelerate so to pass the truck or bus without lingering in the blind spot. Once the truck or bus is visible in their rearview mirror, it is safe to pull in front. As with any vehicle, drivers should not pass on the right. Additionally, avoid passing on downgrades, because CMVs tend to pick up speed there.
When being passed by a bus or truck, drivers should stay to the right and slow down slightly. This helps get the driver out of the CMV’s blind spot more quickly. When CMVs are merging in front of a passenger vehicle, drivers should try to give them plenty of space. - Don’t cut in close while merging in front of a CMV. This can be dangerous for two reasons: Drivers may be in a blind spot if they cut in quickly from either side, and they may not leave the driver enough distance to stop. A fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds needs a distance of almost two football fields to stop—more when conditions are poor.
- Stay back a safe distance. Not only will tailgating put drivers in a CMV’s blind spot but it could also place drivers at risk of rear-ending the vehicle. Large trucks in particular ride high off the ground, and passenger vehicles that follow too closely can slide underneath—a very dangerous situation—if they fail to stop in time or if they are hit from behind. On upgrades, a stopped truck or bus may roll backward, creating a collision or slide-under risk, so it’s better to stay back from stopped CMVs also.
- Anticipate wide turns. CMVs need more room for turns. They may swing wide, or turn from a middle lane, to gain the room they need. Drivers should be aware of trucks or buses that have their turn signals on, and should not get between the CMV and the curb. Drivers at intersections should not “block the box” or stop in front of the line; that space is required by buses and trucks to complete turns safely. Drivers should also be aware in places with space restrictions, including work zones, truck stops, and service stations.
- Stay focused. Distracted driving and sharing the road is a dangerous combination. Even if they see a truck or bus, distracted drivers are more likely to underestimate the speed of a truck or bus or overestimate the distance between the passenger vehicle and the CMV.
- Be patient. Trucks and buses have operating restrictions; some of them may have speed limiters or other safety technology, so honking, tailgating, and other aggressive driving behaviors won’t make them move any faster. And of course, weaving through traffic may put you in a CMV’s blind spot or stopping distance.