ROAD SAFETY: HOW TO DRIVE AROUND TRUCKS, BUSES AND LONG TRAILERS - BEWARE OF THEIR BLIND SPOTS AND TURNING RADIUS!!!

The darker parts are the area in which a truck driver CANNOT see you.

A lot of people take driving around trucks, lorries or buses for granted. I think that since I have driven (and also ridden) almost everything there is to drive on Malaysian roads and the fact that the festive season is now upon us (again), I believe it is my duty to tell you a bit more about taking some precaution when you are around these large commercial vehicles. The first thing you must always remember is that these vehicles have A LOT OF BLIND SPOTS.

 The striped 'X' is the area where the truck driver is blind. Try not to be there. 

The drivers of these vehicles cannot actually see you if you are situated in these many spots. Note that trucks and buses do not have reverse cameras fitted standard or 360degree cameras for that matter. They cannot see you if you're right at the back of the truck, bus or whatever. They cannot see you if you're exactly under the nose or front of the vehicle. They cannot see you if you're at a certain angle to the right or to the left of the vehicle. In short, these vehicles have more blind spots than any motorcycle, bicycle, passenger car or SUV out there. Do not take these vehicles for granted.

Note that you've seen or even witnessed long trailers making a turn. The rear wheels of the trailer always take a shorter path than the truck's front wheels. Do note that if you want to pass a truck, pass on the outside of the corner, not inside a corner that the truck is going to take. In fact, just bloody wait lah. Especially if you're walking, cycling or motorcycling. Just do a search of YouTube to see road accidents where it involves a prime mover turning and a motorcyclist gets caught out by the reducing radius of the trailer as the prime mover turns.

I have taken this short excerpt from the California Driver's Handbook on Large Trucks (Big Rigs). It tells you almost everything you need to know about how to maneuver around trucks. I've also showed you where the blind spots are and there are also photos from Volvo Trucks Malaysia who have an ongoing campaign called 'KNOW YOUR BLIND SPOT' aimed at truck drivers. 

At one of the Volvo Trucks Fuelwatch events. You can see the display showing where the blind spots of a truck are.

This safety message by Volvo Trucks Malaysia is spread at every Volvo Fuelwatch Challenge destination that is currently being carried out this year. Most of the truck drivers who have entered this competition over the years are aware of this and are actually professionally trained drivers. 

Most of the truck drivers who drive trucks in large fleets are very properly trained nowadays. Even in Malaysia - I was surprised at first but they actually are - Most of the large long haul drivers are very good at what they do as i have talked to them personally. It is most of you out there who aren't aware and take risks because you do not know what trucks are capable of. Now you readers must get to know a large vehicle's blind spot so that you can judge better.

So read the paragraphs below and examine the pictures herein. It is not going to take longer than a few minutes. It may save your life and others around you this Hari Raya and every other festive season we celebrate. 

Large Trucks (BIG RIGS)
and RVs

To reduce the chance of having a collision with a large truck or RV, you must be familiar with a big rig’s physical capabilities and how it maneuvers.

Braking

Large trucks take longer to stop than vehicles traveling at the same speed. The average passenger vehicle traveling at 55 mph can stop within 400 feet. However, a large truck traveling at the same speed can take almost 800 feet to stop. Do not move in front of a large truck and suddenly slow down or stop. The truck driver will not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid crashing into you.

Trucker's Blind Spots - The "No Zone"

Shaded areas are the driver's blind spots.

Passenger vehicle drivers incorrectly assume that a trucker can see the road better because he or she is higher off the road. While truckers do have a better forward view and bigger mirrors, they still have large blind spots and your vehicle can get lost in those blind spots. If you stay in those blind spots, you block the trucker’s ability to take evasive action to avoid a dangerous situation. Generally speaking, if you cannot see the truck driver in his or her side mirror, he or she cannot see you. These blind spots are often called the “NO ZONE.”

Turning

When a vehicle makes a turn, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference in the turning path. This is why big rig drivers must often swing wide to complete a right turn. When you follow a big rig, look at its turn signals before you start to pass. If the truck appears to be turning left, check the turn signals again; the driver may actually be turning right but first swinging wide.

Maneuverability

Trucks are not as maneuverable as passenger vehicles. Large trucks have longer stopping and starting distances. They take more space for turns and they weigh more. When no signs are posted, these vehicles must be driven in the right hand traffic lane or as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway. On a divided highway with 4 or more traffic lanes in one direction, these vehicles may also be driven in the lane just to the left of the right hand lane.

Avoid these mistakes when driving around large trucks:

• Cutting off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach an exit or turn. Cutting into the open space in front of a truck is dangerous. Trying to beat a truck through a single-lane construction zone, for example, removes the truck driver’s cushion of safety and places you and others in danger. Slow down and take your turn entering the construction zone. Do not speed up to pass a truck, so you can exit the roadway. Take a moment to slow down and exit behind a truck—it will only take you a few extra seconds.
• Lingering alongside a truck when passing. Always pass a large truck on the left side, and after you pass the truck, move ahead of it. Do not linger. Otherwise, you make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the trucker to take evasive action if an obstacle appears in the road ahead.
• Following too closely or tailgating. When you follow so closely behind a truck that you cannot see the truck driver’s side view mirrors, the trucker cannot see you and has no way of knowing you are there. Tailgating a truck, or any vehicle, is dangerous because you take away your own cushion of safety if the vehicle in front of you stops quickly.
• Underestimating the size and speed of an approaching tractor-trailer. A large tractor-trailer often appears to be traveling at a slower speed because of its large size. Many collisions involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck occur at intersections, when the passenger vehicle driver did not realize how close the truck was or how fast it was traveling.

(c) 2016 motoring-malaysia.blogspot.com

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