Share The Road With Trucks

Author: Daniel StantonDate: 28 October 2009

NRMA Motoring & Services Director Graham Blight today called for all drivers on country roads to adhere to road sharing advice, drive more carefully and be aware of vehicles around them.

"Drivers of all vehicles need to be aware that trucks come in different shapes and sizes and are integral to the day-to-day functions of communities across the nation," Mr Blight said.

"Trucks put food on our supermarket shelves, transport vital supplies and are responsible for three-quarters of Australia’s freight carrying - all drivers need to be educated on how to share the road with them.

"The lack of funding for western NSW roads in recent budgets means road condition and quality is being put under pressure from the increased number of vehicles using them.

"It's a double whammy really - there will be double the trucks on our roads by 2020 and triple by 2050.

"There are about 100,000 NSW- registered trucks on the road and this number will increase."

To the 12 months ending September 2008, 266 people died from 234 crashes involving trucks on Australian roads.

Mr Blight said while there have been significant improvements in truck safety all drivers need to be well educated to ensure crash numbers don't escalate.

"Some of these crashes may have been avoided through improved driver education," Mr Blight said.

The NRMA is using its multi-purpose Mobile Member Centre (MMC) semi-trailer through its partnership with Volvo Trucks to take the safety message around NSW to highlight the important aspects of driving safely with trucks.

The MMC has state of the art safety features and provides an opportunity to promote the support we have from the Australian Trucking Association, NatRoad and Transport Workers Union.

Mr Blight said roads were getting busier and drivers needed to be far more courteous to each other and allow extra time planning trips.

When sharing the road with trucks, the NRMA recommends:

• Be aware of blind spots - Trucks have large blind spots on both sides of the vehicle and beside the left door. The safest place to drive near a truck is well in front or well behind it where the driver can see you.
• Keep to the left - Trucks use the entire lane so try to avoid travelling close to the centre-line on a road. When a truck overtakes you, the air turbulence could create a buffeting effect, especially if you are towing anything.
• Keep your distance - tailgating any vehicle is dangerous, but even more so when travelling close to the rear of a large vehicle. If you can't see the side mirrors of the truck in front of you, the driver can't see you. Truck drivers also need to make sure they don't drive too close to any vehicle in front of them.
• Indicate your intentions - Truck drivers need extra space to clear intersections, change lanes and overtake. Keeping a safe distance from trucks means the driver can manoeuvre safely and minimise the risk of a crash. All drivers need to give plenty of notice before changing lanes or turning.
• Give space to brake - Trucks are bigger and heavier than cars and take longer to stop safely. At 90km/h it can take a truck up to twice as far to stop as a car. Sudden breaking by other drivers in front of trucks can put them at a high risk of collision.
• Care when overtaking - Ensure there is enough space for you to overtake safely. Make sure you overtake quickly within the speed limit and merge back into the lane only when you see both the truck's headlights in your rear-vision mirror.
• Lights at night - Trucks have large mirrors without an anti-glare position so using high beams behind a truck can dazzle the driver and contribute to driver fatigue. Make sure you dim your lights when approaching any vehicle.
• Be patient - Many trucks need to enter or leave driveways, roads or loading docks. Because of the size of some trucks, the road may be blocked for a short period when reversing. Never try to go around the back of a reversing vehicle as the truck driver may not be able to see you or the truck may be concealing a hazard.