2. Tailgating of a smaller vehicle by a large truck 8. Most drivers will show the same courtesy to
with the view to either run them off the road or
force past them is unlawful. Intimidation of car
drivers by truck drivers only leads to nervous
car drivers.
3. Large trucks are up to 50 times heavier than
the normal vehicle, so please ensure there
is sufficient space between the truck and
the vehicle in front to avoid a rear-end-type
a c c i d e n t i n t h e e ve n t o f h a rd b ra k i n g .
This goes for trucks driving too close to the
vehicle in front.
4. Respecting the size and weight of a truck
on the road also goes hand in hand with
respecting the size and weight (or lack
thereof) of cars and caravans by truck drivers.
5. Getting a ‘run-up’ when approaching an
overtaking lane is all well and good if you’re
able to maintain momentum, within the speed
limit; however, overtaking and then causing
those vehicles overtaken to hit the brakes is
not safe.
6. The posted speed limit signs are exactly
that – limits. Not targets.
7. Not everyone operates a UHF radio and all
truck drivers need to remember that having
a UHF on channel 18 is not a requirement of
sharing the road. Good driving manners are
not changed simply because you have a UHF.
other drivers on the road, no matter the size of
the vehicle they are driving. It’s the others that
cause the problem. Why would any driver be
so inconsiderate of others by forcing their way
into a traffic lane and causing all other drivers
to brake to make room, and then expect
everyone else to be considerate of them?
9. A combined length of a tow vehicle and
caravan can be longer than some trucks.
Simply because they don’t have a ‘Do not
overtake turning vehicle’ sign doesn’t mean
open slather by trucks to overtake, even at
roundabouts.
10. We’re all out there together. Please know
that it’s the 0.1 per cent of all drivers who
cause the most accidents and deaths, cause
the road rules to be written to protect the
‘innocent’, and generally make driving
a l o t l e ss e n j o y a b l e t h a n i t s h o u l d b e.
Footnote: I’ve been driving Australian roads
for over 30 years as a recognised professional
driver. I have been towing caravans for more
than 10 years. In that time, I’ve had one
accident where an oncoming vehicle crossed
the centre line, and no traffic fines. I have
also completed several refresher courses in
low-risk driving as part of my employment.
Ian Urquhart
Via email
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