Page 27 - Draft 2023 2024 CDL Manual w Modernization Info

- SECTION 2: DRIVING SAFETY

• In bad weather. Many car drivers follow large
vehicles closely during bad weather, espe­
cially when it is hard to see the road ahead.
If you find yourself being tailgated, here are
some things you can do to reduce the chances
of a crash.
• Avoid quick changes. If you have to slow
down or turn, signal early, and reduce speed
very gradually.
• Increase your following distance. Opening
up room in front of you will help you to avoid
having to make sudden speed or direction
changes. It also makes it easier for the tail­
gater to get around you.
• Don't speed up. It's safer to be tailgated at a Figure 2.13
low speed than a high speed.
• Avoid tricks. Don't turn on your taillights Figure 2.14
or flash your brake lights. Follow the sug­
gestions above.

2.7.3-Space to the Sides often posted on low bridges or underpasses, You may crash into the other vehicle as you
Commercial vehicles are often wide and take but sometimes they are not. complete your turn.
up most of a lane. Safe drivers will manage • Some roads can cause a vehicle to tilt. There • If you must cross into the oncoming lane to
what little space they have. You can do this by can be a problem clearing objects along the make a turn, watch out for vehicles coming
keeping your vehicle centered in your lane, and edge of the road, such as signs, trees, or toward you. Give them room to go by or to
avoid driving alongside others. bridge supports. Where this is a problem, stop. However, don't back up for them, be­
Staying Centered in a Lane. You need to drive a little closer to the center of the road. cause you might hit someone behind you.
See Figure 2.13.
keep your vehicle centered in the lane to keep • Before you back into an area, get out and
safe clearance on either side. If your vehicle is check for overhanging objects such as trees, Left Turns. On a left turn, make sure you have
wide, you have little room to spare. branches, or electric wires. It's easy to miss reached the center of the intersection before you
Traveling Next to Others. There are two seeing them while you are backing. (Also start the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left
dangers in traveling alongside other vehicles: check for other hazards at the same time.) side of your vehicle may hit another vehicle
because of offtracking.
• Another driver may change lanes suddenly 2.7.5-Space Below If there are two turning lanes, always take
and turn into you. Many drivers forget about the space under the right turn lane. Don't start in the inside lane
• You may be trapped when you need to their vehicles. That space can be very small because you may have to swing right to make
change lanes. when a vehicle is heavily loaded. This is often the turn. Drivers on your left can be more read­
ily seen. See Figure 2.14.
Find an open spot where you aren't near other a problem on dirt roads and in unpaved yards.
Don't take a chance on getting hung up. Drain­
traffic. When traffic is heavy, it may be hard to 2.7.7-Space Needed to Cross
find an open spot. If you must travel near other age channels across roads can cause the ends of or Enter Traffic
some vehicles to drag. Cross such depressions
vehicles, try to keep as much space as possible
between you and them. Also, drop back or pull carefully. Be aware of the size and weight of your ve­
Railroad tracks can also cause problems, hicle when you cross or enter traffic. Here are
forward so that you are sure the other driver particularly when pulling trailers with a low some important things to keep in mind.
can see you. underneath clearance. Don't take a chance on
Because of slow acceleration and the space
Strong Winds. Strong winds make it difficult getting hung up halfway across. large vehicles require, you may need a much
to stay in your lane. The problem is usually larger gap to enter traffic than you would in
worse for lighter vehicles. This problem can 2.7.6 -Space for Turns a car.
be especially bad coming out of tunnels. Don't The space around a truck or bus is important
drive alongside others if you can avoid it. in turns. Because of wide turning and offtrack­ Acceleration varies with the load. Allow more
2.7.4-Space Overhead ing, large vehicles can hit other vehicles or ob­ room if your vehicle is heavily loaded.
Before you start across a road, make sure you
jects during turns.
Hitting overhead objects is a danger. Make can get all the way across before traffic reaches
sure you always have overhead clearance. Right Turns. Here are some rules to help pre­ you.
vent right-turn crashes:
• Don't assume that the heights posted at bridg­ • Turn slowly to give yourself and others more
es and overpasses are correct. Re-paving or 2.8 - Seeing Hazards
packed snow may have reduced the clear­ time to avoid problems.
ances since the heights were posted. • If you are driving a truck or bus that cannot 2.8.1 -Importance of Seeing Hazards
• The weight of a cargo van changes its height. make the right turn without swinging into What Is a Hazard? A hazard is any road
another lane, turn wide as you complete the
An empty van is higher than a loaded one. turn. Keep the rear of your vehicle close to condition or other road user (driver, bicyclist,
That you got under a bridge when you were
pedestrian) that is a possible danger. For ex­
the curb. This will stop other drivers from
loaded does not mean that you can do it when passing you on the right. ample, a car in front of you is headed toward
you are empty. the freeway exit, but his brake lights come on
• If you doubt you have safe space to pass un­ • Don't turn wide to the left as you start the and he begins braking hard. This could mean
der an object, go slowly. If you aren't sure you turn. A following driver may think you are that the driver is uncertain about taking the off
turning left and try to pass you on the right.
can make it, take another route. Warnings are ramp. He might suddenly return to the highway.
27