Most Australians have become accustomed to driving in a congested mix of cars, bikes, trucks and buses. However, this familiarity means that over time many forget or choose to ignore the dangers when travelling close to trucks. Truck drivers do their best to drive safely on our roads, but all motorists have a responsibility to keep clear of truck blind spots and avoid the many other known dangers when driving with trucks. In this article, we give you several driver safety tips and teach you how to spot truck blind spots. Read the whole article here - http://www.nationalheavyhaulage.com.au/news/162-how-to-avoid-truck-blind-spots

1. HOW TO
AVOID TRUCK
BLIND SPOTS

2. TRUCK DRIVERS DO THEIR BEST
TO DRIVE SAFELY ON OUR ROADS,
BUT ALL MOTORISTS HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP CLEAR
OF TRUCK BLIND SPOTS
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3. LEARN THE TRUCK
BLIND SPOTS
A blind spot is where a driver
loses sight of other vehicles.
The golden rule is: if you can’t see
the driver’s face in the side
mirrors, move quickly so you can.
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4. LEARN THE TRUCK
BLIND SPOTS
Truck blind spots are:
 Directly behind the truck.
 On each side of the truck.
 Directly in front of the truck
and extending into the
left-hand lane.
 Beside the truck’s left door.
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5. DON’T LINGER AT
A TRUCK’S SIDE
Many motorists on the highway
choose to “sit” in the middle
lane. This is risky when they sit
beside a truck in its blind spot.
If a truck driver needs to change
lanes for any reason, there
could be big trouble. Pass trucks
decisively and safely.
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6. PASS SAFELY
Trucks need twice as much time
and room to stop than cars.
Wait until the whole front of the
truck is in your rear-view mirror
before pulling in front.
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7. AVOID
TAILGATING
The truck driver can’t see you,
and you’ll lose sight of what’s
happening up ahead.
Back off until you can see the
truck’s left and right side mirrors.
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8. KEEP CLEAR FOR
WIDE LEFT TURNS
Truck drivers often need to swing
wide to the right to make a
left turn.
Ignoring a truck’s indicators could
see you squeezed between the
truck and the curb.
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9. OTHER SAFETY
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
 Always signal well in advance
when stopping or turning.
 Deactivate cruise control
when overtaking a truck. You
will want to increase speed to
pass and minimise time spent
in a truck’s blind spot.
Of course, ensure your higher
speed is a safe speed.
nationalheavyhaulage.com.au

10. OTHER SAFETY
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
nationalheavyhaulage.com.au
 Be observant. Look at the
truck’s mirrors to see if the
driver sees you.
 Never cut in front of a truck
that’s slowing down.
 Never walk around or drive
around a truck that is
reversing.

11. www.nationalheavyhaulage.com.au
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