How to Safely Share the Road with a Semi Truck

Just as big rigs are a staple of our nation's economy, they are also a staple of its roads. It is difficult to avoid sharing highways, freeways, and even city streets with them, since their contents are what keep businesses stocked with the things we need. It may help to keep the latter in mind next time you get stuck behind one. Lots of space, and patience, are key to safely maneuvering the road with an 18-wheeler around.


According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study, cars initiate 75% of truck-related car fatalities.  Let's downshift for a minute and take some time to go over the rules and best practices for keeping yourself, and everyone around you, safe while driving alongside a tractor-trailer.

NEVER pass on the right. Trucks will need to pass other trucks (or just slowpoke drivers) from time to time as well. If you can give the rig a little time, it will move back over when it is safe to do so. Passing on the right simply prolongs the trucker's ability to move back over, which keeps the rest of traffic from moving on. Not to mention, it is dangerous to pass a truck on the right, as that is a major blind spot for truckers.

Mind the blind spots. A truck driver will need the space to move into another lane of traffic for various reasons, and you don't want to be right next to him when he or she is in that situation. A semi truck's blind spot may as well be the Bermuda Triangle; every last inch of your car will get sucked into it, and out of the trucker's view. So, when he does need to move over, chances are he won't see you traveling right alongside him.

That said, the largest blind spots for truck drivers are to his right, and behind him. You know those little signs on the back that say "Stay back 500 feet," and the like? That's to keep you safe. If you can't see his mirrors, he can't see you.

Be mindful of the stopping distance needed by a big rig. Stopping a truck that is hauling tens of thousands of tons worth of goods is not a speedy process. Truckers can't simply slam on their brakes and stop on a dime like a regular car. When you decide to switch lanes in front of a tractor-trailer, make sure you can see the entire front of his truck in your side mirror before moving over. Here is one example of what can happen when you cut in too close to a semi: http://www.livetrucking.com/shouldnt-cut-semi-truck/. Scary.

Did we miss anything? We want to hear from you! Comment below with any other tips you might have for driving in harmony with semi trucks.