Interacting with Trucks

According to the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles, "When driving on the highway you are at a serious disadvantage if involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. In crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car, usually the driver, sustain 78 percent of fatalities."

Motorists need to be familiar with large trucks ability to maneuver and brake. A large truck takes longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and when traveling at 50 mph can take more than 400 feet to stop.

Trucks also appear to be traveling slower than cars due to their larger size. Many collisions occur where a driver doesn't realize how fast the truck is driving.

Cutting in front of a truck may force a trucker to suddenly slow down, turn or stop. Trucks take much longer to stop in comparison to cars.

Sharing the road with larger vehicles can be dangerous if you are not aware of their limitations.