Did You Know ?

• Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the freight bill in this nation is carried by trucks. "If you got it, a truck probably brought it."
• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, out of the 300,000 crashes in 1995 involving trucks and passenger vehicles, in at least 70 percent of the crashes the passenger vehicle driver contributed to the crash.
• A recent survey determined that 80 percent of the public has a positive view of truck drivers.

Truck Facts

• Trucks take longer to stop. A car traveling at 55 mph can stop in about 130 to 140 feet. A truck traveling at the same speed takes 400 feet to stop.
• Trucks have deep blind spots in front, behind and on both sides.
• Trucks need room to make right turns. With any turning vehicle, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference.
• Trucks must swing wide to the left to safely negotiate a right turn. They cannot see cars behind or beside them.

Safety Tips

• Following a truck too closely greatly increases the chances of a rear-end collision. When your car is behind a truck, the driver can't see it and it severely limits what you can see on the road ahead.
• You increase the chances for a crash the longer you drive in the side blind spots of trucks. A good rule of thumb is, if you can't see the truck driver in his/her side mirror, he or she can't see you.
• When following a truck, observe its turn signals before trying to pass. Cutting in between a truck and the curb or shoulder to the right may result in a crash. If the truck appears to be starting a left turn, wait a minute to check which way the driver is signaling before passing on the right.
• Always pass large vehicles legally and maintain a consistent speed when passing. Be sure you can see the entire cab of the truck in your rear view mirror before signaling and pulling in front of the truck or bus.
• Never cross behind a truck that is preparing to back up or is backing up. Remember, most trailers are eight-and-a-half feet wide and can hide a car completely, preventing the truck driver from even seeing your vehicle.

For more information on sharing the road, contact the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) at 202/452-6005.