Driving skills to avoid collisions with "killer" container trucks.

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, a series of accidents involving container trucks and other vehicles on the road have become a nightmare for many people participating in traffic.

How to stay safe and save your life when traveling alongside container trucks. Learn essential safe driving skills for driving near these vehicles to avoid unfortunate incidents.

Observe the road conditions to stay alert to traffic situations.

A container truck driver sitting in the high cabin will have a better view than other drivers. If the container truck in front of you starts to slow down, there's a possibility there's a problem on the road ahead. Pay attention to signals from the truck driver and slow down accordingly.

Avoid falling into blind spots.

Like other cars, the top safety principle for container trucks is "see and be seen." These trucks have very large blind spots on both sides, in front, and behind. Avoid those areas as much as possible. If you are behind a container truck and you cannot see its rearview mirror, it means the driver cannot see you either.

Absolutely avoid the following blind spots: tailgating too closely behind the vehicle; driving too close to the side (accidents are likely when the container truck changes lanes); overtaking right in front of the container truck (collisions are likely when the vehicle brakes suddenly).

Note when overtaking

If you intend to overtake a container truck, it is crucial not to hesitate; overtake as quickly as possible, staying on the outside of its lane. You need to signal early to request to overtake, only overtake on the left, maintain a safe distance from the container truck, and overtake quickly and decisively.

After overtaking, make sure your vehicle has safely passed (i.e., you should be able to see the headlights of the vehicle you overtook in your rearview mirror) before returning to your original lane.

Another thing to note is that when overtaking a truck, you should make a wide turn. This will help your car avoid the turbulent airflow created by the truck. It also makes you safer if the truck sways back and forth while you are overtaking.

Yield to vehicles that are overtaking.

When you see a container truck wanting to overtake, always check the road ahead and your rearview mirrors. Focus on maintaining a steady speed (or slowing down slightly) and staying straight to the right of your lane. This will make it easier for the truck to overtake.

Bad weather will make crossing difficult.

Bad weather will be detrimental when overtaking container trucks. The combination of dust, turbulence, the difficult handling of both vehicles on a slippery surface, and limited visibility will all increase the likelihood of a collision.

Always maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Large, specialized container trucks have a much longer stopping distance than cars. And of course, if you're riding a motorbike ahead and suddenly stop with insufficient distance, you'll be "swallowed up" immediately. Always pay attention to your rearview mirrors and maintain a safe distance from these vehicles. Additionally, remember not to brake suddenly when driving in front of a container truck.

Container trucks and large trucks are a source of fear for road users.

Do not overtake on the corner.

Overtaking motorcycles or cars is against the law, but overtaking a container truck on a curve is a life-or-death decision. Container trucks require two lanes to navigate curves, severely limiting visibility on the other side, not to mention the steepness of mountain passes. Overtaking a truck on a curve is nothing short of a gamble.

Calculate to leave a gap between the car and the sidewalk.

Have you often seen container truck drivers swerving in the opposite direction before turning corners? That's because when navigating turns, the rear wheels move less than the front wheels; the longer the truck, the greater the difference in distance. Therefore, you must be aware and avoid recklessly driving into those gaps.

Assist vehicles changing or merging lanes.

Changing or merging lanes with trucks isn't easy on busy roads. Don't try to maintain your speed or lane if you see a truck signaling to change lanes. Prolonging the time spent changing or merging lanes significantly impacts traffic behind you.

Ready with low beam mode

When driving, the light from headlights can reflect off rearview mirrors and blind container truck drivers. Meanwhile, in just 2 seconds of being blinded, the large vehicle has already traveled a very long distance and at a very high speed.

Remember to turn on your turn signals early.

For container trucks, it takes a long time and a considerable distance for the vehicle to slow down or come to a complete stop, so always turn on your turn signal early so that the driver knows you intend to change lanes.

Darkness obscures the old cars.

At night, if you see a container truck parked on the side of the road, make sure you can see the entire vehicle. Slow down and be prepared to stop completely if necessary. Many older trucks and containers don't reflect light as well as newer ones. The truck's body could be blocking your way. In dim light, by the time you spot it and want to stop, it might be too late.

Mr. Chau

(Synthetic)