Things a Trucker Wants You To Know
We see truckers come and go through our bays all day. We want to thank each and every one of them for their business and friendship. We share the road with 400,000 Canadian truck drivers. They are essential in keeping our economy running.
1. STOPPING
Remember the Randy Travis song ‘Three Wooden Crosses’? He sings, “Eighteen wheelers can’t stop on a dime…” It’s a tragic story of lives lost because of an accident involving a bus and a semi truck. It’s a sad and very lifelike tale reminding us that big vehicles need more time to be able to stop. Do your best to warn trucks well before you turn, turn off the road early where you can, and don’t slam on the brakes if it’s not an emergency.
2. WIDE TURNS
Trucks with trailers need room to make turns. A truck driver may pull to the left in order to position him/herself at least four feet from the curb. That space aids the driver in wide right turns; it is not there for cars to zip passed a semi. Be patient and don’t get crushed.
Another thing, stop lines are there for a reason. They protect you from not only crazy drivers but truckers needing to make wide turns. Stay in your lane. Stop before the stop lines and not on or over them.
3. ROAD SENSE
When you are driving, you are called to be present and follow the rules of the road. Common sense right? Well, not for everyone. So, get rid of those distractions and focus on your driving. Number one, be aware of the road ahead of you, beside you and behind you especially when you are merging into traffic. Number two, know where you are going and plan ahead – don’t be the one trying to fly across 3 lanes of traffic trying to make an exit. Finally, please do not draft a truck. You put yourself in grave danger pulling this move. You can’t see what’s coming in the road ahead and your response time becomes next to nil. This move is for race cars on a race track, not for highways with 80,000 pound trucks.
4. BLIND SPOT
It should be obvious that trucks have blind spots, they are called blind for a reason. Most often if you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you. Give them space in front and behind and don’t linger in the side blind spots if you can help it.
5. BE PATIENT
Accelerating, backing in, merging, going up hill… these things can take time for a big rig. This does not give you the okay to disregard the rules of the road – just be patient.
Show them some grace and check your frustration. Be kind and understand what truck drivers are dealing with.
From our wheels to yours, we wish you safe driving out on the road!
Remember to thank a TRUCKER!
