A truck’s large size means that truckers do not have rearview mirrors and must rely on side mirrors to see cars behind them. Driving behind a truck also means you cannot see what’s happening in front of them. This allows the truck driver to see you and be aware of you as well.

The answer is do not break, the key avoiding skids is to always smoothly apply your brakes and accelerator and to turn slowly and smoothly.

“No-zones” are the blind-spot areas around the truck where the driver cannot see you. In front of the truck: A truck driver can’t see up to 20 feet in front of the cab, and they need a lot of space to stop, so never cut them off.

Why? Because the passenger’s side is the truck driver’s biggest blind spot – it can extend the full length of the trailer. Awareness is key to avoiding accidents, but even the most aware truck driver can’t account for a car that he can’t see.

The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance. Determining the three-second gap is relatively easy. When following a vehicle, pick an overhead road sign, a tree or other roadside marker.

It is recommended to keep a reasonable following distance so you can safely stop in a case of an emergency, e.g., if the car ahead of you stops suddenly. A defensive driver maintains a safe following distance of at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead and increases it depending on weather and road conditions.

The Rules of Dealing With a Tailgater

1. Stay Calm. The first thing you need to do when you look in your rearview mirror and see someone tailgating is to stay calm.
2. When You Need to Brake, Take it Slow…
3. Get Safely Out of the Way.
4. Drive at a Comfortable Speed.
5. Avoid Confrontation.