Cross in Front of a Truck Safely

Whenever you're around a truck, whether as a pedestrian, a motorist, or a bicyclist, it's important to use an extra degree of caution. Trucks have bigger blind spots and slower reaction times than other vehicles. Therefore, if you want to cross in front of a truck safely, make sure you avoid merging immediately after passing them, stay out of their blind spots, and always signal before moving in front of them.

Steps

Crossing as a Motor Vehicle

1. Stay out of a truck’s blind spots. A truck’s blind spots are directly in front and behind them, as well as on both sides of the truck. If you're driving right next to the trailer of a truck, the driver won't be able to see you. When close to a truck, slow down or speed up to pass them safely, avoiding the blind spots so the truck driver can see you at all times.
   • If you can’t see the truck driver in their side view mirror, they likely can’t see you.
   • Avoid tailing a truck in case the driver stops suddenly or starts backing up.
2. Look for the truck’s headlights in your mirror before merging. After you’ve safely passed, avoid immediately merging in front of the truck. Wait until you’re able to see the entire front of the truck in your rear view mirror before pulling in front of it.
   • Wait until you’re roughly {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in front of the truck before merging in front of it.
3. Use your blinkers when passing. This lets the truck driver know that you’re trying to come over to their lane, giving them more of a reaction time. To avoid a collision, the truck driver should always be aware of where you intend to go.
   • Put your blinkers on at least 3 seconds before you actually merge to give the driver time to notice.
4. Avoid slowing down once you’re in front of the truck. If you’re trying to squeeze in between the truck and another car, this isn’t a great idea—trucks need twice the time and distance to slow down or stop as regular cars. Once you’ve merged in front of the truck, stay at a normal speed if possible.
   • If you do have to brake in front of a truck, try to do it gently to give the driver time to react.
5. Give trucks lots of space as a general rule of safety. It’s best to stay as far from trucks as possible to make the driver's job of driving easier and safer. Avoid taking away the space they need for turning, merging, or braking.

Biking Safely around Trucks

1. Be visible to the truck driver at all times by avoiding blind spots. As a biker, the truck driver is going to have a much more difficult time seeing you if you’re near the truck’s blind spots. Make sure you avoid cycling on either side of the truck, and give yourself lots of space before crossing over in front of it.
   • Be certain the truck driver can see you by making sure you can see yourself in the driver’s side mirror.
2. Use hand signals for right turns, left turns, and slowing down. It’s important to let all motor vehicles know what you intend to do on the road, especially trucks. Give your hand signal well in advance to give the truck driver time to see it and react accordingly.
   • Because they're larger than cars, trucks cannot stop or react as quickly as one might expect. Always let a truck driver know exactly when you're going to cross in front of them.
3. Avoid trying to bike past a truck that’s starting to turn. It can be tempting to want to speed past the truck before it makes its slow turn so that you’re not stuck behind it, but this is dangerous as the truck driver won’t be able to see you in their blind spot. If you need to cross when a truck is turning, wait until it’s finished.
   • Trucks often take up extra lanes when they’re turning, so don’t get too close to the truck for your own safety.
4. Make eye contact with the driver to be sure they spot you. This is especially important at intersections or if you see a truck starting to merge. If you’re trying to cross in front of them, look at the driver and try to be certain that they’ve seen you, either by locking eyes, making a hand signal, or another type of visual confirmation.
   • If you’re trying to cross in front of a truck and you’re signaling, oftentimes the driver will flash their lights, nod, or motion with their hand that it’s safe for you to go.
5. Follow the road rules for cycling to ensure your safety. If you bike safely by doing things like signaling, wearing reflective gear, and leaving lots of space between you and other vehicles, crossing in front of trucks should go smoothly. If you need a refresher on cycling road rules, go online and type in your area along with “cycling laws” for up-to-date information.
   • Do an online search to learn all the needed hand signals.

Walking to Cross in Front of a Truck

1. Cross at designated pedestrian crosswalks. If you cross the street at a random spot that isn’t a pedestrian crosswalk, the truck driver won’t be expecting you and you’re more likely to be hit. Always cross streets where pedestrian crosswalks are painted on the road, or where there’s a stoplight and it’s clear what traffic is doing.
   • Though drivers are supposed to stop for pedestrians at many crosswalks, don’t always expect trucks to stop. Wait to see that all vehicles are standing still before crossing the street.
2. Avoid distractions like cell phones or headphones. When you’re crossing the street, walking across safely should have your full attention. Avoid texting or talking on the phone, and turn off your headphones to cross safely so that you can hear what’s going on around you.
   • Texting is dangerous while crossing streets because you’re looking down, not at the road.
   • Avoid using headphones so you can hear a truck honk if necessary.
3. Make sure the truck driver can see you before crossing safely. Avoid making any sudden movements when crossing—the truck driver should be able to predict your intentions. Look at the driver to ensure they see you, either giving a polite wave or pointing out your intended path before crossing.
   • If you are directly in front of the truck, at the rear of the truck, or close to either side, it’s likely the truck driver can’t see you. Even if the truck is completely stopped, make sure the driver can see you before crossing in front of the truck.
4. Look to each side before crossing the road. While you should do this no matter which road you cross, it’s especially important if there’s a truck nearby. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing, keeping an eye on the truck to make sure it’s not moving in your direction.

Tips

• Trucks have reduced visibility, even in the daytime. At night, make yourself as visible as possible when crossing in front of a truck.
• Wear reflective jackets or light-colored clothes and always use a bike light in the dark.
• Teach your children about pedestrian safety around trucks from an early age. Tell them what to do to be safe around trucks, and lead by example.
• Anticipate trucks to make wide turns.

Warnings

• Never let children cross in front of trucks, or any traffic, without holding their hands or having them secured in strollers.

Related Articles

• Stay Out of a Truck's Blind Spots
• Drive Tactically (Technical Driving)
• Drive Safely in Heavy Traffic
• Pass Safely on a Two Lane Road

References

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