Have you ever wondered why your driving instructors ask you to give trucks more space to drive or turn? Driving schools also make it a point to teach students the right rules and techniques to handle driving on highways and alongside trucks. That’s because truck drivers are the backbone of the transportation industry, delivering goods and supplies from businesses to consumers everywhere in the country. However, other road users may feel frustrated when driving behind a truck, especially when it’s turning, due to the time and space it takes. Since trucks are heavy and big, their size and maneuverability when turning affect other drivers and disturb traffic. Many other drivers may find it strange that trucks take up more than one lane when turning. But this is essential for smooth turning and is not done to annoy or block others. Understanding the reasons behind such maneuvering can help others be more patient when trucks take a turn. Let us explore why trucks need multiple lanes to turn and how other users can navigate such situations safely.
Why Do Trucks Need More Space When Turning?
If you’re a driving student, you’ll often find your driving school instructors asking you to keep bigger following distances when driving behind heavy vehicles. They will also teach you to give trucks more space and never try to overtake them when they’re turning. Have you ever wondered the reason behind these practices? Let us understand why trucks need more space when turning and why they may occupy more than one lane to make such maneuvers:
They Take Wider Turns:
Trucks are large in size and designed to hold a lot of load. This is the main reason why they need more space when turning. Due to their size, trucks have a wider turning radius compared to other smaller cars. When a truck takes a turn, the front of the truck follows a tight curve but the back or trailer may swing wide and cross into the adjacent lane or curb. This is why heavy vehicles like trucks require more than one lane to turn.
Off-Tracking:
Off-tracking is where the vehicle’s rear wheels follow a different path than its front wheels. Due to their size and length, this is more common in heavy trucks. When a truck takes a turn, the front wheels follow a curved path for turning. But due to its length, the rear wheels don’t follow the same path. Instead, they take a longer turn following a narrower path than the front wheels to complete the turn. Hence, they need more space than a single lane to complete the turn safely.
Safety Considerations:
Large trucks have a higher center of gravity making them easier to tip or roll over. If such large trucks attempt to take a sharp turn with a small radius, it increases their chances of tipping or rolling over. Also when trucks make the turn, their back wheels or trailers take longer to follow the turn while the front is already turning. In such a situation, if the ruck does not have enough space, the rear end may end up colliding with another vehicle, a curb, a building, or any other obstacle and cause damage to people and property. Trucks take up extra space when turning to avoid such collisions and maintain road safety.
When all road users understand why trucks need extra space for turning, they can stay patient, alert, and safe when driving with such heavy vehicles.
How Should Other Drivers Respond?
When drivers see a truck turning, they must respond in a way that ensures safety, maintains order, and does not disrupt the traffic. Here’s how other drivers should respond when they notice a truck taking a turn:
Give Them Plenty of Room:
For large trucks, off-tracking is a factor in turning that makes the back of the truck take a longer turn than the front. This means that the back or trailer needs more time and space to realign with the front of the truck after a turn. That’s why trucks need more space when turning. Hence, it’s essential to give the truck plenty of room to take a wide turn without hitting any obstacles or other vehicles. Drivers should not try to drive alongside or overtake a turning car as it increases the risk of collisions.
Stay Behind the Turning Truck:
When a truck takes a turn, its blind spots make it difficult for the driver to notice a car in its vicinity or prevent it from getting caught in its right turn. So, it’s better to stay well behind a turning truck. This can help you avoid getting caught in its blind spots and getting hit.
Avoid Rushing or Overtaking Them:
Trucks have big blind spots that make it difficult for truck drivers to spot a vehicle if it’s too close to them. And due to off-tracking, trucks take a wide turn which takes longer time than other vehicles. While other drivers may feel frustrated having to wait for the truck to complete its turn, it’s better to wait patiently. Avoid rushing past or trying to overtake a turning truck as it increases the risk of accidents.
Staying calm and patient and responding appropriately to turning trucks can help improve the road environment and make the roads safer for all.
Conclusion – Drive Safely and Responsibly
Trucks have a wide turning radius and need more space and longer time to execute a turn. But their blindspots make it tough for truck drivers to spot other vehicles in their vicinity, increasing the risk of accidents. When driving behind a truck, it can be frustrating to maintain longer following distances, give them extra space to turn, or avoid the temptation of overtaking them. While your driving school instructor may teach you how to do these things, it’s important to understand the practical and safety reasons behind this practice. Learning safe driving techniques in a Safer Drivers Course from a good driving school like Onroad Driving Education can help you understand the reason behind this practice and help you respond better and maintain safety. By encouraging road awareness and patience, we can create safer roads for all.
