Sharing the road

The Ontario Provincial Police has some suggestions for sharing the road with large vehicles. Further information is included in the following news release issued by the OPP:

(North Bay, On) - Large vehicles including transports and buses are amongst the many obstacles that we encounter on our highways. The North Bay OPP would like to remind drivers to be patient and courteous while sharing the roadway with these vehicles.
These simple tips will assist you to help make our area roads safe when you encounter large vehicles:
Pass Safely!

You could get rear-ended by a truck or bus if you cut in front too soon after passing. Truck and bus drivers need nearly twice the time and room to stop as cars. Look for the whole front of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front, and then don’t slow down.

Avoid the squeeze play.

Truck and bus drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely make a right turn. They can’t see cars squeezing in between them and the curb. Watch for their signals and give them room to turn. If you can’t see the driver’s face in the side-view mirror, he can’t see you.

Don’t be in their ‘Blind Spot’!
Don’t hang out on either side of trucks or buses! Trucks have large blind spots on both sides. If the driver needs to swerve or change lanes for any reason, you’re in big trouble!

Avoid Tailgating!
Unlike cars, trucks and buses have huge No-Zones directly behind them. If you’re tailgating, the truck or bus driver can’t see your car there, and you can’t see what’s going on ahead of you. Stay well back of big trucks to avoid a rear-end collision.

Pay Closer Attention!
Never cross behind a truck that is backing up! Truck trailers are very wide and completely hide objects behind them.

Help make our roadways safe and stay out of these dangerous zones where crashes are more likely to occur.