Small rigid trucks are generally more agile than a large semi-trailer or B-Double because they’re shorter, lighter and able to stop in a shorter distance. Larger trucks are longer, heavier, and require more space to turn and a longer distance to stop. Very long trucks, like a B-Double, need even more space to turn and will often use two lanes to turn or navigate a roundabout.

A truck turning at a roundabout, like any vehicle, must stay on the road.

A large truck however can use more than one lane to turn at a multi-lane roundabout. Cars should give way and avoid the lanes next to a truck in a roundabout to give them room.

Trucks need more room to turn than cars.

Trucks can legally use more than one lane of the road to turn safely. This is why some trucks will display a sign reading: “Do not overtake turning vehicle”.

A truck’s mirrors, unlike a car’s, don’t have an anti-glare position and flashing lights, or high beam headlights, can be distracting for a truck driver. If you’re approaching a truck from behind with high beam lights, switch them down as early, and as safely, as you can – the truck driver will appreciate it.

Trucks have four main blind spots.

1. Immediately in front of the truck.
2. Directly behind the truck.
3. On the driver side next to the driver’s door.
4. On the passenger side, next to the passenger’s door and extending sideways

The size and location of blind spots vary for different kinds of trucks, such as a small rigid truck or a B-Double.

The most important thing to remember is you need to keep out of blind spots to help you keep safe.

Animals will move in response to the movements of the truck, so drivers of livestock trucks have to be especially careful navigating turns and intersections.

Livestock trucks cannot stop quickly as animals may fall or be injured if the driver applies the brakes too hard.

No phone message is worth distracting the driver and endangering their life or anyone else on the road.

Before you start to drive put the phone away, turn it off, put it on silent, or stick it in the glovebox… any of these will help stop the distraction.

There is no safe blind spot. If you’re in a truck’s blind spot you’re invisible to the driver.

Be aware of the blind spots and position yourself so that you are visible to the truck driver.

The ‘B’ in B-Double is for the second, or ‘B’, trailer. A B-Double can be between 19 and 26 metres long (including the truck) and weigh up to 60 tonnes.

You’ll encounter B-Doubles on the road at some stage, and due to their weight, they’ll be slow to accelerate and slow to stop. Let the driver know when you’re turning or changing lanes with your indicators and always allow them the space they need to keep safe on the road.

Unfortunately, this is true. Statistically, young probationary drivers are at greater risk of dying or suffering a serious injury on the road than more experienced drivers.

Livestock trucks do travel to and from farms, but they also transport animals to saleyards and processing sites which are located in towns and cities. Livestock trucks – carrying pigs, sheep, and cows – are common on Australian freeways, highways, and even through city roads.

Leaving at least two seconds is a good start, but leaving even more space is better especially if you are travelling in poor weather conditions such as rain or fog.

Don’t forget, trucks have a blind spot behind them so if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.

Never overtake a truck turning in any direction.

Trucks need a lot more room to turn so it is safest to give way and stay behind the truck until it has finished its turn.

Although it may not be the case in some circumstances, it is usually safer to merge into a safe gap after a truck has passed rather than in front.

Truck drivers will leave extra space in front of them, because they have a blind spot immediately in front of the truck and they also require a lot of space to stop.

Merging too close in front of a truck on a freeway can be dangerous for both you and the truck driver.

Leave space around trucks wherever possible, and when merging with traffic smoothly merge into the flow of traffic and match the speed of other vehicles on the freeway.
Avoid any situations where you would need to speed or stop suddenly.

There’s no such thing as ‘super brakes’. In clear, dry, driving conditions, a truck travelling at 100 km/hour requires over 180 metres to come to a stop – that’s longer than the MCG!

When driving you should always be aware and give truck drivers plenty of time and space to stop safely.