Road Safety: Sharing The Road With Trucks & Heavy Vehicles
Road safety is important for everyone. At Cannon Logistics, we take road safety very seriously. Here is a rundown on how light and heavy vehicles can share the road safely.
Trucks can have anything from a single trailer to a rig of three or four trailers, which means they can be several metres long. This means many hindrances for truck drivers, including lots of blind spots, slower driving, heavy or dangerous loads, and less manoeuvrability.
Knowing how to share the road with trucks and other heavy vehicles (like buses, trams, agricultural machinery, livestock transporters, and tankers) will keep you and others on the road safe.
There are a few main things to keep in mind when sharing the road with heavy vehicles.
Oversized loads
If you are approaching a vehicle (or it’s approaching you) with an Oversize Load Ahead sign, you should always prepare to slow down, move over, or even stop. This truck may be too wide or long for the road and you may need to make room for it. Always proceed with caution and give the vehicle plenty of room.
Turning trucks
Never try to overtake a turning truck, particularly if you can’t see clearly ahead of you. Trucks with the Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle signs are legally allowed to turn from the second or third lane from the kerb if needed to safely get around the corner. That’s why you should always be vigilant and stay back, as you might not be visible in their mirrors.
Braking distances
A truck requires a larger braking distance than a car due to their additional weight. Don’t cut in front of a truck approaching a red light, roundabout or even in traffic. Be aware of trucks in front and behind you when making sudden manoeuvres.
For the full rundown on how to share the road safely with trucks, follow the link here.
Head to our education page for more resources about road safety, for both truck drivers and other road user.
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