Safety Information

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The legal weight for an eighteen wheeler is 80,000 lbs. (40 tons or 36,287 kg) That is without any oversize or overweight permits. In comparison, the average automobile weighs over somewhere around 5,000 lbs.

Tips & Reminders

Remember, every item you buy or use is carried on a truck at sometime. Like you, truckers want to get home safely to their families, so let's share the road.

• The "DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE" sign on the rear of vehicles over 7.5 metres in length, allows them to legally turn from the second or even the third lane as needed to safely get round a corner. Stay back; don't move into the blind spot to the left and rear of the truck cab. Please Remember - IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE TRUCK DRIVER, HE CAN�T SEE YOU.
• Road courtesy and a bit of patience may save your life; it could also prevent road rage. I'd much rather a wave of thanks than a shaken fist. Improved driver education and awareness of heavy vehicles, can only improve safety for all road users.
• If being passed by a truck, don't allow your speed to increase, this only increases the time involved. If anything, ease up on the accelerator and by helping the truck pass safely you improve your own safety as well. A flash of the headlights tells the trucker when it's safe to move back in.
• a. If you are right on the back of the truck you have very little vision, stay back allowing you to see better. b. Be sure you can see enough road to pass safely. c. Pass quickly but sensibly. d. Don't pull back in until you see both the trucks headlights, this allows a safe space. e. Maintain your speed, don't pass and then slow directly in front of the truck. To take a large risk for a gain of a couple of minutes is unsafe and often unnecessary. PLEASE, IF YOU CAN'T SEE, DON'T PASS.
• Make allowances for car drivers. They don�t drive or understand trucks.
• Your behavior on the road and to other motorists is how we are all seen. Try to be courteous and show a good face to represent the industry that feeds you and your family.
• Respect, assist and treat other truckers as you would like to be treated.

S&H rewards safety