Statistics show that large vehicle crashes account for 21% of fatalities, with occupants of the smaller vehicles more likely to suffer. Large commercial vehicles are not like cars—they require extra skill and training to drive. Their size and weight can inhibit the drivers’ ability to react quickly to unexpected moves by other road users, and drivers of smaller vehicles may feel intimidated and react inappropriately when they perceive a large vehicle approaching. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses tips and advice for understanding large commercial vehicles and sharing the road with them. Here are a few tips shared: 

·      Large vehicles have large blind spots, so car drivers should avoid staying in their blind spots whenever possible.

·      Large vehicles move slower and take longer to react, so give them plenty of time to respond to your signals.

·      Do not tailgate large trucks; rather, keep a safe distance when following.

IHSA has a wide range of resources and tools that can be adopted to contribute to safer roads in Ontario. These resources include easy-to-use templates that are downloadable and reusable, Safety Talks, road safety toolkits, eLearning, and much more. Check them out at ihsa.ca/roadsafety.

Free Resources:

Road Safety Solutions: https://www.ihsa.ca/roadsafety

Sharing the Roads with Large Trucks: https://www.ihsa.ca/Road-Safety-Solutions/Tool-Kit-Resources/19-Sharing-The-Road-Safely-With-Large-Trucks.aspx

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