Do you find yourself hitting the highway daily for your commute? If so, then you've probably found yourself driving around a semi-truck more than once. These trucks are much larger than your average passenger car and many drivers get nervous driving around them (and with good reason). Toyota of Orlando is here with tips for safe driving around semi-trucks - check it out.
Five safe driving tips for when you're around tractor trailers
Tip #1: Always pass on the left of the truck. This is good manners for any driver, no matter what kind of car you're passing, but is especially useful when you're passing a semi-truck in your Orlando Toyota. Semi drivers will expect you to pass on the left and will be more likely to see you. Additionally, make sure you never pass on a double yellow line (follow the rules of the road). Finally, when you do pass a semi-truck, make sure to leave plenty of space when moving in front of them.
Tip #2: Stay out of their blind spots as much as you can. When you do find yourself passing a truck, try to do it quickly and efficiently. It's in your best interest for safe driving to stay out of their blind spots - when you're in them, the driver can't see you and could change lanes without realizing that you're there. An easy way to tell if you're in a semi-truck's blind spot is to see if you can see the driver's side mirror. If you can't, then you're in the blind spot and putting yourself in danger.
Tip #3: Try to steer clear of them whenever possible. It's honestly in your best interest to try NOT to drive around semi-trucks as much as possible. This safe driving tip is coming from a semi driver himself - these trucks have blowouts and mechanical issues just like passenger cars, and the last thing you want is for one to swerve into your lane. Pass them quickly but safely.
Tip #4: Leave plenty of space when you do drive near them. If you do have to drive your Orlando Toyota near a semi, make sure to leave plenty of space between your car and the truck. This is especially true if you're driving behind a tractor-trailer. Remember, if you rear-end them by mistake, your front bumper isn't going to stop the collision. It's more than likely that your car's windshield will collide with the truck first, which can be fatal for you and your passengers.
Tip #5: Avoid them in high winds and bad weather in general. You definitely want to avoid driving next to a semi-truck in bad weather, but especially in high winds. Semi-trucks have a lot of surface area, especially when compared to passenger cars, and this means they're affected more in windy weather. They can easily be blown into your lane and cause a car accident, so try to avoid them if the weather isn't good.
Get more safe driving tips at Toyota of Orlando
Want more tips for safe driving near semi-trucks? Call us today! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall!
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