Big Rig Blues

Don't let those trucks get you down

Debbie Murphy / autoMedia.com

Okay, these blind spots may be difficult to avoid in heavy traffic. The key is to realize you're invisible and get yourself out of the blind spot as quickly as you can, safely. If you're not sure if you're visible to the truck driver, look at his side mirrors. If you can see his face, he can see your car. Given these side blind spots, pass quickly on the left where you've got a better chance of being seen and merge back into the truck's lane when you can see the whole cab in your rear view mirror.

The obvious blind spot is behind a big rig, up to 300 feet behind. The primary danger for tailgating vehicles is the fact that the truck obscures everything ahead of you. He can react to dangers in the roadway or slowing traffic, but you have to rely on his brake lights.

Multiplication

Next, everything that impacts your vehicle impacts a big rig—times 10. If a steep grade takes a lower gear and slower speed for your vehicle to conquer, a truck will be in a lower gear and creeping. Either safely get past the truck before you start the climb, or be patient.

If a high wind is batting your vehicle around, stay away from semis. The enclosed trailer of a semi catches the wind like a sail and can flip the whole rig on its side. If the semi is hauling an empty trailer, the impact of the wind is even more intense since there isn't enough weight to keep the rig stable. Most unloaded and some loaded big rigs will pull over and wait out a windstorm, but there are some areas, especially in the southwest, known for heavy, intermittent gusts. If you've ever seen a trailer start to tip in a windy corridor, you'll undoubtedly never drive on the sheltered side of a semi again.

Stopping Power?

While professional truck drivers can appear to thread a needle with their big rigs, there are some limitations to what they can do. One of those things is braking. Traveling at 55 mph, a big rig is eating up 80 feet of highway per second and it takes 300 feet, or the length of a football field, to stop. Our vehicles, depending on the size and weight, take much less space to come to a complete stop. Remember this when you're passing a semi, and maintain your passing speed until you're a comfortable distance in front of the truck.