Did your Drivers Ed classes ever touch on operating a car near large trucks?

Question

I think it would be much safer out there if it was ever discussed. If it was explained as to why large trucks do what they do that irks you or makes you cuss at us and us at you.

Answer 1

Yes they did show us films on driving near large trucks both on the highway as well as in town large trucks......

Answer 2

yes my drivers ed teacher did but thts prolly cause she used to be a truck driver but i know wat u mean bout every one being a pain to you cause well there was a semi truck driver taking up both lanes and well i knew y and it turned out there was construction down the road and nobody knew to get in the right lane and he was trying to stop people from getting down to the bottom to get into the right lane so he was trying to speed up the traffic and well i know this stuff cause my grandfather was a truck driver and well i felt the need to help and so i went to the left of the semi and showed him thumbs up to show him i was going to help and got him back in his lane and i took up the other lane and well it speed up the traffic every time some body got behind me i would point to show them to get over

Answer 3

Nope, didn't have it in driver's ed & I wish every state would make it a course requirement for anyone who wants a driver's license & have a refresher course as part of defensive driving to have their license renewed.  Would maybe save some insurance money for drivers & a couple of lives or injuries in the process.

I am an over the road truck driver with 4.5yrs experience & every single day, there are some 4 wheelers (& unfortunately some truck drivers who should know better) who think that just because I have 5 axles with brakes on both sides, I can stop on a dime & give them 9.5 cents of change back.  Some drivers like to pass me & move back over before their rear bumper, or even windshield, is visible above my hood (I drive a 2005 Freighliner Century that has a short, sloping nose).  Others like hang out in my blind spot or by an axle for too long.  Usually, it is the 4 wheeler who doesn't stop behind the stop line, so I can't make my turn without forcing them to make a decision.

People need to realize that trucking is vital to the economy & we are at our legal limit, size wise.  Drivers, for the most part, don't have a choice when it comes to delivery.  Some customers are in locations that were designed for 28ft to 36ft trailers with cabovers, not the 53ft conventionals that are standard today.  There are times when I have to block traffic to get into their dock or have to go wide to avoid an obstacle.  Most truck drivers leave a space cushion for a reason, so if you stall out or lose control, I can stop or (God forbid, if I can't in time), lessen the impact.  We also have multiple blind spots, so we rely on our mirrors when we need to change lanes,  If there is someone on the shoulder, most of us make an effort to move over into the next lane or hug the center line to give that vehicle a chance.  In many states, there are "move over or slow down" laws.  Even at 55mph or slower, our wash can shake a vehicle or blow a hat off.  Most of us don't want to make local news, unless it is passing by the news crew getting footage for a later broadcast on a road project or other similar piece.

I do give some in the motoring public credit.  These people do realize that we need all the room we can get.  They are kind enough to flash us in when we pass them or wait for us when we have a difficult manuever to make, whether it be a turn, dock, or traffic situation.   .

Answer 4

Large trucks have many blind areas around them.

If you are following a large truck, you should follow far enough back so that you can see the truck's side mirrors. If you can't see those mirrors, the driver of the truck can't see you.

When passing trucks, do so promptly. Don't lag beside it.

It is safe to pull in front of a large truck when you can see the entire front end of it in your REAR VIEW MIRROR, not your SIDE VIEW MIRROR....

Don't slow down after passing a truck.

When there is a large truck following you, and you intend to make a turn, tap your brakes a few times to indicate to the truck driver that you intend to slow down, and then signal well in advance of your turn.

Large trucks take longer to slow down due to their size and weight on the trailer. Let that truck know well in advance of your intentions to make a turn, or to slow down.

Never pull up along  the right side of a large truck  if its right signal is on.

Never pull lup along the left side of a large truck if its left signal is on.

Large trucks (semis) make very wide turns and you could become trapped between the truck and the curb, or between the truck and another vehicle.

Most truck drivers have good driving records. Be aware that a truck driver usually makes long distance hauls and may become fatigued after a long drive.

All you can do is to be a pro-active driver. Be aware of what is going on along all four perimeters of your vehicle and look well ahead up the road, and scan aggressively when approaching intersections.

If there is a collision between a large truck and a smaller vehicle, the driver of the smaller vehicle usually loses.

THINK AND DRIVE

Sometimes we have to watch out for each other out there!

Answer 5

Nope, Drivers Ed or behind the wheel lessons never, EVER discussed anything relating to large or semi-trucks.  Sad, I am sure it would cause less accidents.