NATIONAL NEWS - Without trucks, South Africa will stop, the Road Freight Association (RFA) has said. Not many of us have been in the truck driver's place, so motorists in smaller and more agile cars often get impatient when we should exercise understanding.
For motorists to know how not endanger to themselves or the truck drivers when sharing the road, it is important that they acknowledge the difference between these two transport modes.
Badly maintained trucks
Many motorists rightly complain that a lack of maintenance can be the cause of horrific accidents.
So what is to be done if companies are not maintaining their trucks? The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says one can reduce the risk faced when sharing the road with trucks in need of maintenance. "The key is to be aware.
"Look at the trucks around you and the condition they appear to be in. When spotting a truck that appears to be a bit derelict, drive with even more caution than usual. Do not linger around these trucks. If moving away from them requires you to overtake, ensure you have plenty of space and time to do so. Never take a risk when overtaking a truck that appears to be neglected.
"Avoid overtaking the truck on a downhill as this is where their brakes are most likely to fail," Herbert says.
MasterDrive supplied some tips to reduce risk:
It is important for car drivers to be aware that truck drivers face very different challenges to their own. The weight and size of a truck, as well as the different loads, means they need more time to get going, stop or slow down.
Leave a large space between your car and the truck.
This will help you avoid being one of their many and much larger blind spots. The blind spots are in front or close to their bumper, close behind the truck as well as in certain spots next to the truck. If you can see the driver in the side mirror, he can see you.
Never pull directly in front of a truck or in a small gap between a truck and another vehicle. A medium-sized truck can take 40% longer to stop than a car.
During rain, leave extra space around the truck as their off-spray is larger. They will also take longer to stop.
When travelling in front of a truck, signal early or avoid making sudden turns as they need longer to stop.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
