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Big Rig Blues

Don't let those trucks get you down

The television movie "Duel" began Steven Spielberg's directorial career and forever changed the way drivers view big rigs. Separating fact from fiction, however, casts a much less demonic aura over those mastodons of the highway. In fact, without the big rigs and their cargo, 82 percent of the country's communities would be without groceries and other goods.

Fault Line

Another interesting fact, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study, 75 percent of all truck-related car fatalities are car-initiated. In other words, when there's an accident between a big rig and a passenger car, don't immediately point the finger of blame at the truck or its driver. The logical conclusion is that most of us simply don't know how to behave around big rigs, nor do we understand the limitations of trucks compared to our nimble little cars.

The most valuable guideline when sharing the highway with semis is the same guideline you should observe even if the road is empty. Pay attention and keep your eyes on the road. Unfortunately, this, the easiest rule to follow, is the one most ignored.

Blind Spots

Most passenger vehicles have blind spots; trucks have four and it's important to avoid them. A big rig driver cannot see approximately 15 to 20 feet immediately in front of the cab, which should discourage you from merging into the middle of a long line of semis on the highway, especially if you've got a small sports car.

The most dangerous blind spots are to the left and right of the truck starting just beyond the cab and fanning across three lanes of traffic, and running the length of the truck. The left, or driver's side, blind spot is less pervasive than the right side.

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.

Depending on the skill of the driver and the type of vehicle, passenger cars and trucks can avoid road debris or other obstacles without losing control. A truck has a very small margin for error in these types of quick maneuvers. The one thing you, as a passenger vehicle driver, can do to avoid causing an accident or getting entangled in one is give semis a wide berth and a watchful eye.

In general, big rig jockeys are well-trained, courteous drivers. If passenger vehicle drivers pay attention and exercise the same degree of courtesy, the journey will likely be safer and stress free.