Page 26 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

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
but sometimes they are not. complete your turn.
Commercial vehicles are often wide and take
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-
drive a little closer to the center of the road. cause you might hit someone behind you.
Staying Centered in a Lane. You need to

keep your vehicle centered in the lane to keep • Before you back into an area, get out and See Figure 2.13.
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
seeing them while you are backing. (Also start the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left
Traveling Next to Others. There are two check for other hazards at the same time.) side of your vehicle may hit another vehicle
dangers in traveling alongside other vehicles:
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. the right turn lane. Don’t start in the inside lane
Many drivers forget about the space under because you may have to swing right to make
• You may be trapped when you need to their vehicles. That space can be very small the turn. Drivers on your left can be more read-
change lanes. when a vehicle is heavily loaded. This is often ily seen. See Figure 2.14.
a problem on dirt roads and in unpaved yards.
Find an open spot where you aren’t near other

traffic. When traffic is heavy, it may be hard to Don’t take a chance on getting hung up. Drain- 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
vehicles, try to keep as much space as possible some vehicles to drag. Cross such depressions

between you and them. Also, drop back or pull carefully. Be aware of the size and weight of your ve-

forward so that you are sure the other driver Railroad tracks can also cause problems, hicle when you cross or enter traffic. Here are
can see you. particularly when pulling trailers with a low some important things to keep in mind.
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. Acceleration varies with the load. Allow more
in turns. Because of wide turning and offtrack- room if your vehicle is heavily loaded.
2.7.4 – Space Overhead ing, large vehicles can hit other vehicles or ob-
jects during turns. Before you start across a road, make sure you
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 time to avoid problems. 2.8 – Seeing Hazards
packed snow may have reduced the clear-
ances since the heights were posted. • If you are driving a truck or bus that cannot 2.8.1 – Importance of Seeing Hazards
make the right turn without swinging into
• The weight of a cargo van changes its height.
An empty van is higher than a loaded one. another lane, turn wide as you complete the What Is a Hazard? A hazard is any road
That you got under a bridge when you were turn. Keep the rear of your vehicle close to condition or other road user (driver, bicyclist,
loaded does not mean that you can do it when the curb. This will stop other drivers from pedestrian) that is a possible danger. For ex-
you are empty. passing you on the right. ample, a car in front of you is headed toward
• Don’t turn wide to the left as you start the the freeway exit, but his brake lights come on
• If you doubt you have safe space to pass un- turn. A following driver may think you are and he begins braking hard. This could mean
der an object, go slowly. If you aren’t sure you turning left and try to pass you on the right. that the driver is uncertain about taking the off

can make it, take another route. Warnings are ramp. He might suddenly return to the highway.

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