To reduce the chances of an accident with a large truck , motorists should be familiar with a big rig’s physical capabilities and how they maneuver.

Large trucks take much longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed. The average passenger vehicle traveling at 55 mph can stop in about 225 feet (not including reaction time). However, a large truck traveling at the same speed can take more than 400 feet to stop (not including reaction time). Never pull in front of a large truck and suddenly slow down or stop. The trucker will not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid crashing into you.

For all turning vehicles, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference. This is why truck drivers must often swing out to the left as the first step in making a right turn. When you follow a big rig, look at its turn signals before you start to pass. If you think the truck is turning left, wait a second and check its turn signals again. The driver may actually be turning right.

Trucker's Blind Spots

Many automobile drivers falsely assume that a trucker can see the road better than they can because they are higher off the road. While truckers do have a better forward view and bigger mirrors, they still have serious blind spots where your vehicle can easily get lost from view. If you stay in their blind spots, you eliminate the truck driver’s ability to take evasive action to avoid dangerous situations.

Generally speaking:  If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her side mirror, he or she can’t see you.

These blind spots are often called the "No Zone."

Maneuverability

Trucks are not as maneuverable as passenger vehicles.  Large trucks have longer stopping and acceleration distances.  They take more space for turns and they weigh more.  On multi-lane highways and freeways, large trucks usually stay in the center portion of the lane to help the flow of traffic. This also increases the trucker’s options in case he or she must change lanes to avoid a hazard.

Here are some of the most common mistakes passenger vehicle drivers must avoid when driving around large trucks:

	Cutting off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach an exit or turn.
	Cutting into the open space in front of a truck.
	Trying to beat a truck to a single-lane construction zone, for example, removes the truck driver’s cushion of safety and also places you in danger. Slow down and take your turn entering the construction zone.
	Don’t speed up to pass a truck so you can exit the roadway. Take a moment to slow down and exit behind a truck -- it will only take you a few extra seconds.
	Don’t linger alongside a truck when passing. Always pass a large truck on the left side and, after you have passed the truck, move ahead of it. If you linger beside the truck, you make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the trucker to take evasive action if an obstacle appears in the road ahead.
	Following too closely or tailgating. When you follow behind a truck and you cannot see the truck driver’s rear-view mirrors, the trucker has no way of knowing you are there. Tailgating a truck, or any vehicle, is dangerous because you take away your own cushion of safety.
	Never underestimate the size and speed of an approaching tractor-trailer. A large tractor-trailer often appears to be traveling at a slower speed because of its size. Many accidents involving a passenger vehicle and large truck occur at intersections because the passenger vehicle driver did not realize how close the truck was or how quickly it was traveling.

When you come upon a school bus stopped on either side of the road with flashing red lights, you must STOP, and remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing.

These lights, located at the top front and top back of the bus, are a warning for you to stop because children are preparing to get on or off of the bus and will be crossing the road.

Failure to remain stopped is against the law.  You may be fined up to $1000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year.

If the bus is on the other side of the concrete divider of a divided highway, you do not need to stop. 

Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)

Light rail vehicles, including trams, trolleys, streetcars, cable-cars and other vehicles on tracks, have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as do all other vehicles.

Although everyone must follow the same traffic laws, light rail vehicles, because of their size and limited maneuverability, require special consideration.

Here are some specific steps you should take to safely share the road with light rail vehicles:

	Be aware of the routes on which light rail vehicles operate.  Maintain a safe distance from an LRV if it shares a street with vehicular traffic.
	Be aware that buildings, trees, etc. cause blind spots for  LRV operators, just like all other drivers.
	Never attempt to "beat" an LRV to an intersection.  Treat LRV crossing gates the same as you would any railroad gate, and never try to go around them when they are closed.

	Look both directions for approaching LRVs before you cross their tracks.  Never make a turn in front of an oncoming LRV.
	When you turn across LRV tracks, if a signal is present, turn only when the signal indicates you may proceed.  In many cases, LRVs can preempt traffic signals, so do not proceed forward until the signal light indicates you may do so.
	LRV tracks can become extremely slippery and hinder effective steering, particularly when wet.  Never drive directly on top of their tracks, wet or dry.
	Attempt to cross tracks at a 90 degree angle. A shallower angle may cause your vehicle to lose traction, particularly motorcycles and bicycles.

Buses and Streetcars

Do not drive through a mass transit safety zone, the space that may be set aside for pedestrians and marked by raised buttons or markers on the roadway, near where a mass transit vehicle would slow down or board passengers.

When people are boarding or leaving a mass transit vehicle where there is no safety zone, stop behind the nearest door or vehicle platform and wait until the people have reached safety.

When a bus or streetcar is stopped at a safety zone or at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a police officer or traffic signal, you may pass it at no faster than 10 mph, and only when it is safe to do so.

In any California city, there are only two instances when it is acceptable to overtake and pass a train or streetcar from the left side:

	On a one-way street when the tracks are so close to the right side that you cannot pass on the right, or
	When a traffic officer directs you to pass on the left.