- A + A print
Home > Motoring > Safer Driving > Country driving >  

Roads and trucks


Sharing the road with trucks

sample

Heavy vehicles are an essential part of our economy so it's important to know how to share the roads with them safely.

Top 10 tips for sharing the road with trucks

Long and heavy vehicles on the roads can cause frustration. However, if you know how to share the roads with such vehicles as well as the road rules they abide by you can negotiate them more easily and confidently.

1. Truck-wise

There are many types of large vehicles on the road. Know how to identify them and you can anticipate what to expect when you are on the road with one.

  • Oversize trucks are wider, longer or higher than a normal truck, or they can be a combination of these. They have an orange light that flashes and are sometimes also escorted in front and/or behind, so allow extra room to overtake.
  • Long vehicles tow a combination of trailers with a total length of 25 to 26 metres. They are permitted to travel up to 100 km/h and are common on many roads throughout NSW.
  • Roadtrains are exceedingly long vehicles but they are not used in NSW.
2.

Don't cut in

It's dangerous to cut into a gap in front of a truck as they slow for traffic lights or when on the highway. For every 5 km/h a truck travels, it needs a space equivalent to its length to stop - that's a lot of space, particularly if a truck is doing 100 km/h.
3.

Do not overtake turning vehicle

The sign 'Do not overtake turning vehicle' on the back of trucks warns you that the truck needs more room when it turns and can legally turn from the centre lane. Don't move into the truck's blind spot to the left when it turns - if you can't see the driver's face in their mirrors, they can't see you.
4.

Maintain your speed

When a truck overtakes you, maintain your speed - don't accelerate. If anything, ease up on the accelerator.
5.

Overtake with care

A truck is longer than a car, so you need more road to pass. When you're sure it's safe, signal, move out and pass sensibly.
6.

Roundabouts

That 'Do not overtake turning vehicle' sign applies at roundabouts too. Larger trucks need to make wide turns and often need the entire road. Truck drivers try to anticipate traffic flow at roundabouts to avoid stopping, so the truck is not trying to race you onto the roundabout, the driver is simply trying to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic. If the truck has to stop, a slow start can cause a traffic jam.
7.

100 km/h 'speed limiting'

Speed limiting, when referring to trucks, means that no engine power is delivered above 100 km/h. However, gravity can still push a truck faster downhill. Truck drivers like to be at the maximum legal speed as they approach hills to lessen traffic delays, but if they slow as they travel uphill or overtake, they're doing the best they can.
8.

Towing caravans and boats

When a truck goes to overtake you, maintain your speed and don't move off the road - moving left only makes controlling your trailer more difficult.
9.

Night lights

When you come up behind a truck dip your lights early as truck mirrors are large and don't have an anti-glare position.
10.

Courtesy on the roads

Courtesy and patience prevent road rage and may even save your life. A friendly wave is more welcome than an angry fist.

Find a review

Search through hundreds of car reviews
Make
Model
Year
Review type

Service Finder

  • Car Maintenance

  • Emergency Maintenance

  • Products & Services

Online Shop

Join thousands of others following NRMA

  • rss

    RSS

  • rss

    Twitter