The Easter weekend festivities have a nasty habit of turning people into statistics, with too many road accidents that could be avoided if drivers behaved more responsibly and courteously.
Coming across a truck on your travels this Easter is inevitable. Often passenger car drivers do irresponsible things when stuck behind a slow moving truck. Statistics show that up to 70% of all truck-related fatalities are caused by car drivers.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa offers some tips to help drivers survive a potentially life-threatening situation this year, particularly car drivers who share the road with so many trucks on the Durban to Johannesburg run.
Patience: Trucks in the extra-heavy segment often carry a load of up to 56 tonnes – that makes them 50 times bigger than your car. Now work out how much longer it takes to bring that much weight to a stop if you should get in the way.
Pushing in: A truck cannot stop quickly – so don’t cut in front of the truck too soon after overtaking it.
Blind spots: Directly behind them and on both sides, many truck drivers can often not see a car if you are ten metres or less from the back of the truck trailer. Avoid tailgating, and if driving alongside or overtaking a truck, get on with it and get out of the side blind spot.
- Remember: If you can’t see the truck driver in his mirrors, then he can’t see you.
Overtaking: Give yourself enough time to overtake – the longer the truck, the longer the manoeuvre will take. Wait until the road ahead is clear. Many lives are lost because the driver misjudged the speed of an oncoming car when overtaking a truck.
Bad weather: Take extra care in bad weather and on wet roads, when all vehicles are less stable. Be aware of the spray that trucks throw up in wet weather – put on your windscreen wipers before overtaking or driving close to a truck.
Keep your distance: At a stop or traffic light, the truck might roll back when getting started again, so leave some space between your car and the truck. Accelerating from standstill is a slower process for trucks, especially those that have eighteen gears to get through. Trucks may also kick up stones off the road, so watch out for your windscreen.
Night driving: The size of a truck is not always apparent at night, so look carefully and adjust your speed. Avoid the glare of an oncoming truck’s headlights by watching the side of the road then look quickly ahead to check the truck’s position. Keep doing this until you have passed the truck.
Trucks need space: Trucks take more than one lane of space to turn, and have to swing wider to negotiate a turn. Watch for the driver’s indicator, and give him some room to manoeuvre.
Jack-knifing: Be aware that trucks can jack-knife or roll over. Be prepared to take evasive action if this should happen.
Accidents involving trucks are always more severe in terms of injury, loss of life as well as damages due to the sheer size of the truck and the load it carries.
Don’t become a statistic this Easter. Take care of yourself and your passengers.