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Driving Truck Smart is no accident.

Take care when driving around trucks. It may be the most important thing you do behind the wheel.
It's a basic concept: A truck simply does not drive like a car. They can't make the same sudden moves a car can, they have much larger blind spots, and they need a lot more room to stop. And with more than 6 million of them on our roads and highways, practicing a few simple methods of driving safely around trucks is a must for anyone who wants to live to drive another day. Statistics have shown that over 75 percent of auto vs. truck accidents are caused by negligent practices on the part of auto drivers. They're easy mistakes to make, but they're also easy mistakes to avoid. By remembering a few simple rules of thumb, and employing them whenever you're driving near a truck we can make the roads a much safer place for everyone.

Safety tips
Protect yourself, protect your passengers. Learn how to share the road safely with trucks and everyone reaches their destination in one piece.

Stay out of trucks' blind spots. Sometimes the need to pass the truck is unavoidable. But if you must do so, don't linger alongside them. All vehicles have blind spots, but a truck's blind spots are far larger than a car's which can result in highly dangerous, high-speed situations.
Always give trucks room in front. Never cut too close in front of a truck. Because of their increased stopping distance, cutting as closely in front of a truck as you would a car may be the last mistake you ever make.
Watch for wide turns. Trucks have a much wider turning radius than a car does so be aware of where they may need to go, especially in narrower urban environments. Close sidewalks, signs and utility poles, often cause trucks to cross the yellow line when making right turns, and the auto driver who is aware of this possibility is the driver who survives it.

How truck smart are you?

What should you do if you are traveling behind a dump truck that is losing debris?
Speed up and pull in front of truck
Back off and notify law enforcement
Slam on your brakes to avoid debris
Correct

Incorrect
How many car lengths should you allow before you pull in front of a truck?
2 car lengths for every 10 miles per hour
1 car length for every 10 miles per hour
1 car length for every 5 miles per hour
Correct

Incorrect
You should use your high beams when traveling behind a semi at night.
True False
Correct
Your high beams will reflect in the truck's mirrors and may blind the driver. Be sure to dim you high beams whenever approaching another vehicle at night from either direction

Incorrect
The driver of the semi can see you better
It's better to follow a truck pulling multiple trailers than to pass it.
True False
Correct
It's okay to pass multiple-trailer combinations as well as single-trailer trucks. However, whether you're passing on a two-lane road or an eight-lane highway, make sure you have extra time to get around these larger vehicles. On a level highway, it takes about three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car

Incorrect
It's okay to pass multiple-trailer combinations as well as single-trailer trucks. However, whether you're passing on a two-lane road or an eight-lane highway, make sure you have extra time to get around these larger vehicles. On a level highway, it takes about three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car
When making right turns, trucks often pull into the left lane to let traffic pass on the right.
True False
Correct
Large trucks make wide turns on tight city streets. When turning right, trucks must swing wide to the left to keep clear of the curb. To avoid a collision, only pass a truck on the left, especially if there is a possibility that it will turn right.

Incorrect
Large trucks make wide turns on tight city streets. When turning right, trucks must swing wide to the left to keep clear of the curb. To avoid a collision, only pass a truck on the left, especially if there is a possibility that it will turn right.
Trucks and buses require more time and distance to stop and maneuver than autos do.
True False
Correct
Trucks and buses are substantially heavier than autos and do require longer stopping and maneuvering distances.

Incorrect
Trucks and buses are heavier and larger than autos they do require longer stopping and maneuvering distances
Truck drivers have a better view of traffic because they sit up so high.
True False
Correct
Trucks create numerous blind spots due to their size and height. It is true that the trucker can see a great distance down the straight road. However, the trucker has blind spots in front of the cab, on both sides of the rig, and in the rear of the trailer. It is important that drivers of other vehicles that share the roadway with the truck are aware of these blind spots.

Incorrect
Trucks create numerous blind spots due to their size and height. It is true that the trucker can see a great distance down the straight road. However, the trucker has blind spots in front of the cab, on both sides of the rig, and in the rear of the trailer. It is important that drivers of other vehicles that share the roadway with the truck are aware of these blind spots.
What percentage of accidents involving semis and automobiles does the driver of the automobile cause?
25%
45%
75%
10%
Correct

Incorrect
Where are the blind spots on a semi?
On the right and left side of the semi
Directly in front of the semi
Directly in back of the semi
All of the above
Correct

Incorrect
How many feet would it take an 80,000 lbs semi to stop if it were traveling 65 miles per hour?
100 feet
50 feet
300 feet
565 feet
Correct

Incorrect
It is safe to draft or tailgate a semi to save gas.
True False
Correct
Trucks have a huge blind spot in the rear. Hang back. Avoid drafting and tailgating and you'll reduce your chances of rear-ending the truck if it must stop suddenly.

Incorrect
Trucks have a huge blind spot in the rear. Hang back. Avoid drafting and tailgating and you'll reduce your chances of rear-ending the truck if it must stop suddenly.
Anyone can be a truck driver.
True False
Correct
Although anyone can apply to become a commercial truck driver, all drivers must qualify for a commercial driver's license by passing written and driving exams. In addition, interstate drivers must be at least 21 years old. The U.S. Department of Transportation also requires that drivers are drug-free and in good physical condition.

Incorrect
Although anyone can apply to become a commercial truck driver, all drivers must qualify for a commercial driver's license by passing written and driving exams. In addition, interstate drivers must be at least 21 years old. The U.S. Department of Transportation also requires that drivers are drug-free and in good physical condition.
Nearly everything you eat, wear, and use was carried by a truck.
True False
Correct
Trucks haul more freight and travel more miles than any other mode of commercial transportation. In fact, 77 percent of America's towns depend solely on trucks for their goods and services. If all commercial trucks stopped running today, it is estimated that America would come to a complete standstill in less than five days.

Incorrect
Trucks haul more freight and travel more miles than any other mode of commercial transportation. In fact, 77 percent of America's towns depend solely on trucks for their goods and services. If all commercial trucks stopped running today, it is estimated that America would come to a complete standstill in less than five days.
Statistics show automobiles and trucks are equally responsible in truck/auto accidents.
True False
Correct
Trucks are responsible for less than 1/4 of the truck/auto crashes. One reason is that trucks tend to travel at a consistent speed with fewer lane changes than cars.

Incorrect
Trucks are responsible for less than of the truck/auto crashes. One reason is that trucks tend to travel at a consistent speed with few lane changes than cars.
After passing a truck and returning to the right lane, do not slow down.
True False
Correct
Maintain your speed and develop a safe space between the truck and your car. Trucks also take longer to regain their speed after being slowed down, and may slow the other traffic behind them.

Incorrect
Maintain your speed and develop a safe space between the truck and your car. Trucks also take longer to regain their speed after being slowed down, and may slow the other traffic behind them.
Semis have larger brakes so they can stop faster than a car.
True False
Correct
Trucks and buses are substantially heavier than autos so they require longer stopping and maneuvering distances.

Incorrect
Trucks and buses are substantially heavier than autos and do require longer stopping and maneuvering distances.
Distracted driving by auto drivers is a major cause of accidents between semis and autos.
True False
Correct
Distracted driving by the auto driver is a major factor of crashes between semis and autos.

Incorrect
Distracted driving by the auto driver is a major factor of crashes between semis and autos.
Major contributors to crashes between cars and semis are:
Cars operating at dawn or dusk without headlights on
Distracted driving (talking on cell phone, changing stereo, etc)
Failure of cars to stop at stop signs or signals
Driving while impaired
All of the above
Correct

Incorrect
Following a semi too closely can result in which of the following?
Crashing into the back of the semi that must make a sudden stop
Debris being kicked up off of the roadway by the semi and striking your car
Debris or objects falling off of the semi while making a sudden stop
All of the above
Correct

Incorrect
23% percent of fatalities involving semis and automobile result from head on collisions.
True False
Correct
Many auto drivers become frustrated while driving behind semis and will pass left of center or swerve into oncoming traffic to pass the semi. This act often results in the automobile striking a vehicle in the oncoming traffic.

Incorrect
Many auto drivers become frustrated while driving behind semis and will pass left of center or swerve into oncoming traffic to pass the semi. This act often results in the car striking a vehicle in the oncoming lane of traffic.

Don't hang out in the No-Zone
The Key to Safer Highways: Know the No-Zone
The No-Zone is the area around the trucks where cars disappear into blindspots or are so close that they restrict the truck driver's ability to stop or maneuver safely. Both types of No-Zones greatly increase the potential for a crash.

Download Brochure (Adobe .PDF)

Summer 2009 Truck Smart Radio spots

Hear the summer 2009 Truck Smart Radio spots. Click here

Truck Smart Tool Kit

Download the Truck Smart fact sheets to learn more about safe driving around big rigs. Follow the other links to download posters, videos and other training materials that can assist you in spreading the Truck Smart message. Click here

Visit our safety campaign sites: Drive to Stay Alive Truck Smart