5 Things Every Driver Should Know Around Trucks
Every day, thousands of trucks travel New Zealand's roads, delivering the goods that keep our communities running. While professional truck drivers receive extensive training, road safety is a shared responsibility. Heavy vehicles behave very differently from cars. They need more room to turn, take longer to stop, and have much larger blind spots. Understanding these differences can help prevent serious accidents and make our roads safer for everyone.
The RYDA Programme has a great demonstration showing just how large a truck's blind spots can be. It's well worth taking a minute to watch, especially if you've never sat in the cab of a heavy vehicle.
Here are five simple things every driver should know when sharing the road with trucks.
1. If You Can't See the Driver's Mirrors, They Probably Can't See You
One of the biggest misconceptions is that truck drivers can see everything around them because they sit higher than other motorists. In reality, heavy vehicles have large blind spots directly in front, behind, and along both sides of the truck. If you're travelling beside a truck and can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, there's a good chance they can't see you either. The safest option is to either pass safely and promptly or remain well behind the vehicle.
2. Give Trucks More Space to Stop
A fully loaded truck can weigh many times more than the average car. That extra weight means it takes much longer to stop, particularly in wet weather or downhill. Cutting in front of a truck and braking suddenly leaves the driver with very little time or distance to react. Leaving a generous gap isn't just courteous. It could prevent a serious crash.
3. Expect Wide Turns
Have you ever seen a truck move into the right-hand lane before turning left? It can look confusing, but it's often completely necessary. Large vehicles need extra room to complete tight turns without mounting kerbs, hitting signs, or clipping other vehicles. If a truck is indicating to turn, avoid trying to squeeze alongside it. Give it the space it needs to complete the manoeuvre safely.
4. Don't Rush to Overtake
Before overtaking a truck, make sure you have plenty of clear road ahead. Because trucks are longer than cars, overtaking takes more time and distance than many people expect. Once you've passed, don't merge back too early. Make sure you can see the entire truck in your rear-view mirror before moving back into the lane. That extra few metres makes a big difference.
5. Patience Saves Lives
We've all been there. You're behind a truck travelling below the speed limit, and it feels tempting to get around it as quickly as possible. But trucks often travel at speeds that are appropriate for their size, weight, and the road conditions. Waiting an extra minute is always better than taking a risk that could change lives forever. Sometimes, arriving safely is the fastest route of all.
Sharing the Road
Road safety isn't about blaming truck drivers or other motorists. It's about understanding how different vehicles operate and making smart decisions around them. Whether you're driving to work, heading away for the weekend, or simply running errands, giving heavy vehicles a little extra space can make a big difference. Because everyone deserves to get home safely.
