ANY TIME you are out driving in this big brown land, chances are that at some point you are going to have to share the road with a heavy vehicle.
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If drivers don't show a high level of care, heavy vehicles - whether a semi-trailer, B-double, road train or larger cab-chassis commercial vehicles - can present a range of safety issues for all road users.
This is because of their size, mass and inability to stop or change direction as quickly as smaller vehicles in the event of an emergency.
However, there are a few tips passenger vehicle drivers should follow to help them keep safe:
Avoid blind spots
Heavy vehicles have four blind spots that motorists should avoid - beside the truck's left door; by the truck's right door; directly behind the truck; and immediately in front of the truck.
When travelling behind a heavy vehicle, if you cannot see the mirror of the truck: then the driver cannot see you.
Make sure you are clear of a heavy vehicle driver's blind spot before overtaking.
Never cut in front of a heavy vehicle, as this can severely reduce the available distance for them to brake and may increase the risk of your vehicle being hit by the heavy vehicle.
Turning
Be aware of turning heavy vehicles. If a heavy vehicle has a "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" sign, it is allowed to take up more than one lane when turning.
Be prepared to allow extra room for it to turn, using an additional lane.
Take care overtaking
It's important to allow plenty of time to overtake long vehicles, especially in wet weather or changed road conditions.
Make sure there is no oncoming traffic, indicate clearly, accelerate and overtake quickly, without exceeding the speed limit.
Do not cut in front of the vehicle - allow enough room between you and the truck.
A car travelling in a 110km/h speed limit zone, will take about one kilometre to safely overtake a 23-metre B-double truck that is travelling at 100km/h on a road with an overtaking lane.
On a two-way road with a 110km/h speed limit, two kilometres of clear road ahead is needed to safely overtake the same truck.