How should you behave around large trucks to improve safety?

• A. Stay out of their blind spots, give extra following distance, and pass promptly when safe.
• B. Follow closely to the rear to predict their actions.
• C. Drive alongside them at close distance to reduce wind resistance.
• D. Rush past them in the left lane to shorten travel time.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is to maximize visibility and space when sharing the road with large trucks. Trucks have big blind spots on the sides and behind them, and they need more distance to stop. By staying out of those blind spots, you ensure the truck driver can see you in mirrors and react if you change speed or lanes.

The best approach is to keep extra following distance behind the truck so you have time to slow gradually if it brakes suddenly, and to pass only when it’s safe and you can clearly see the truck in your rearview mirror before returning to your lane. This reduces the risk of being surprised by a turn or a sudden stop.

Other maneuvers are riskier: following closely behind leaves little time to react; driving alongside at close distance keeps you in the truck’s blind spots and exposes you to side wind and sudden lane changes; and rushing past in the left lane can force you to merge back in tightly and into other traffic. The safer rule is simple—stay visible to the truck, give it space, and pass only when safe.