| Cornering |
The most important thing to remember when taking sharp curves or cornering [esp. in an eighteen wheeler in the wintertime] is to slow down before the curve and power through the curve. You always want to keep a pull on a trailer and never let a trailer push you through a curve. |
Turning On Red |
Did you know that it is legal to turn left on red? Only turn left on red when it is from a one-way to a one-way. |
| Cars Beside Trucks | Never, and I mean never, drive beside an eighteen wheeler for long periods of time. It is extremely dangerous. First off the wind turbulence is bad and absolutely can push you off the road or pull you into the truck if you are not watching! Also, if one of those tires does blow it can rip your head right off your shoulders and that’s no joke. I’ve seen it happen and it’s sickening. |
| Cars Passing Trucks | When you pass an eighteen wheeler in a car make sure you see, at the least, both headlights in your rearview mirror before executing your move in front of them. |
| Right Hand Turns | When you see a truck driver trying to make a right hand turn NEVER get to the right of him as he CANNOT see you! I’ve seen literally hundreds of cars smashed because of total stupidity. The reason an eighteen wheeler driver swings wide to make a right turn is basically because he can’t see and it is always better to be safe than sorry than to pay a city thousands of dollars for a ripped off stop light or stop sign. It is NO different than making a left turn except for the fact that you can stick your head out of the left window. Of course if you are a giraffe then you are ok on right turns! |
| Get Out Of The Left Lane |
I don’t care whether you are in a car or in a truck, when you are through passing get out of the left lane! It only breeds hatred and frustration when drivers are rude and just ride in the left lane for no reason. The freeways are designed properly if ONLY they would be used properly! |
| Two Lane Roads | IF you are on a two lane road with a mile long line of traffic behind you and you are wanting to make a right turn instead of stopping everybody get on the shoulder to turn right so everybody else can keep moving [ if there is a shoulder of course ]. |
| Look Ahead | Always look ahead of you NOT just right in front of your bumper as many people do. Learn how to judge distance and speed to keep the freeways moving smooth. IF you see a truck or even a car coming up on a very slow moving vehicle ahead of them, you should realize they need to get out and, IF you keep moving up to them at a high rate of speed knowing this, then it’s your own idiocy when you get mad because they pull out in front of you. Common sense is called for in these situations. |
| Exiting | Don’t be a dummy and hammer down right before you know you need to exit and cut a truck off OR cut in front of them and slow down to get off. You truly have no idea how close to death you are. If the driver is looking down for even a second you will be in deep trouble. Possibly 6′ of deep trouble. Use your head and common sense to realize that you should slow down and not try to pass. Why be in a hurry to just get off anyway? Will one second matter that much? No matter how big you are, how bad you are, how rich you are, how smart you are, how dumb you are, how young you are, or how old you are you will die with 80,000 lbs on top of you. |
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Note: I am continuously working on this and update it often as I think of more !
Thanks for all the smart tips,it helps to know that experienced drivers are available to beginners like me who has just been given the keys to a trailer tractor for the first time.
A few tips I have picked up over the years, especially on Australian roads … but any roads of course, you just need to apply local laws.
1) If you can’t see the trucks mirrors, the driver can not see you!
2) Always give the trucks and larger vehicles a wide berth, you wouldn’t jump in front of a bus for the same reasons.
3) Most drivers of larger vehicles are professionals and always have an exit plan in mind, don’t put them in a position where they may have to drive off the road to avoid running you over.
4) Roll a tennis ball and a bowling ball side by side, stick your foot out … the tennis ball will stop almost instantly, whereas the bowling ball will most likely crush your foot. That’s exactly how it is for the 18 wheeler or b-double semis on the road … they can not stop suddenly … EVER !!!
5) You’re in command of a 10 tonne missile at 100 km/hr … he’s in command of a 100 tonne missile and the end result wont be pretty, think smart, drive smart and stay safe always.