Sharing the Road with Truckers: What Every Driver Needs to Know

by The Crazy Trucker
(North Carolina)

Every day, millions of vehicles travel U.S. highways, with semi-trucks making up a significant portion of the traffic. These 80,000-pound machines are the backbone of our economy, delivering everything from groceries to medical supplies. But despite their importance, many motorists don’t understand how to safely share the road with truckers.

A misunderstanding or careless move around a semi-truck can have deadly consequences. So, whether you’re a new driver or have been on the road for decades, here’s what you need to know about staying safe and respectful around big rigs.

1. Understand the Limitations of Big Trucks
Before anything else, you have to recognize that semi-trucks don’t operate like regular cars. They’re heavier, slower to stop, and have massive blind spots. Here’s why that matters:

🚛 Braking Distance – A fully loaded truck going 65 mph takes about two football fields to come to a complete stop. If you cut in front of a truck and brake suddenly, the trucker might not be able to stop in time.

🚛 Blind Spots – If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you. The biggest blind spots are:

Directly behind the trailer
Along both sides (especially the right side)
Right in front of the truck
🚛 Wide Turns – Ever see a truck swing left before turning right? That’s because they need extra space. Don’t try to squeeze between a turning truck and the curb—it won’t end well for your vehicle.

2. How to Safely Drive Around Trucks
Now that you know the challenges truckers face, here’s how you can safely share the road with them:

✅ Give Them Space – Don’t tailgate. Don’t cut them off. Simple as that. Trucks need room to maneuver, and crowding them only increases your risk of a crash.

✅ Pass Smartly – If you’re passing a truck, do it quickly but don’t linger in the blind spot. Always pass on the left side—truckers expect this, and visibility is better there.

✅ Don’t Brake Check a Truck – This is a reckless and dangerous move. A trucker can’t stop on a dime, and brake-checking a big rig could be the last mistake you ever make.

✅ Be Cautious in Bad Weather – Trucks are even harder to stop in rain or snow. If conditions are bad, keep extra distance. And if you see a truck struggling on ice or in strong winds, be patient—truckers don’t want to be out there in bad weather any more than you do.

✅ Respect Their Signals – If a truck is signaling to change lanes, don’t speed up to block them. Let them merge safely—it could prevent a dangerous situation for everyone.

3. The Biggest Pet Peeves of Truckers (and Why You Should Avoid Them)
Truck drivers deal with a lot of frustrating behavior on the road. Here are some of their biggest complaints:

😡 The "Side-by-Side Cruiser" – Ever drive next to a truck for miles without passing? That blocks traffic flow and leaves you in their blind spot. Pass efficiently or slow down slightly to give them space.

😡 Tailgating a Semi – Riding too close behind a truck means you have zero visibility of what’s ahead. If the truck brakes suddenly, you could slide right under the trailer.

😡 Squeezing into a Truck’s Lane in Traffic – In stop-and-go traffic, cutting in front of a truck forces the driver to brake hard, making it tougher for them to keep up with traffic flow.

😡 Trying to "Race" a Truck – Some drivers feel the need to speed up when a truck starts passing them. Why? Trucks are limited by speed governors and physics—they take longer to pass, so just let them do it and move on.

4. Why This Matters for Everyone
Trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, and unsafe driving around big rigs only makes it harder. But beyond safety, respecting truckers means respecting the people who keep our economy moving.

Every time you order something online, buy food, or fill up at the gas station, a trucker made it possible. Yet many truckers feel disrespected on the road—cut off, blocked in, or treated like they don’t belong.

By following simple rules of road courtesy, you’re not just preventing accidents—you’re also helping truckers do their job safely.

5. Final Thoughts: Be a Smart, Safe Driver
At the end of the day, sharing the road safely with truckers is common sense:

🚛 Stay out of their blind spots
🚛 Give them space
🚛 Don’t cut them off
🚛 Be patient and respectful

The road is for everyone, and a little caution goes a long way in preventing accidents. So next time you’re on the highway, remember: that trucker is working hard to deliver goods that make your life easier. The least you can do is give them a little respect.

What’s your biggest pet peeve about drivers on the road? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇