Sharing the road with commercial motor vehicles (CMV) requires special consideration. Large trucks and buses have larger blind spots, limited maneuverability and require more time to stop, making driver awareness and patience critical for a safe transportation system.
“Our local communities and economies rely on safe and efficient commercial transportation,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “We all have a role in ensuring large trucks and buses can operate safely on the highway. Sharing the road requires all motorists to keep a safe distance, be aware of blind spots and pass carefully.”
The Wisconsin State Patrol’s July Law of the Month reminds CMV operators and all other drivers that safety is a shared responsibility on our highways.
Rules of the road
Simple actions can help drivers stay safe near large trucks and buses:
- Avoid lingering in blind spots. Large trucks and buses have large blind spots around all four sides. Remember, if you cannot see a truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
- Use caution when passing. State law prohibits drivers from returning to a traffic lane until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
- Give plenty of space. State law prohibits drivers from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable. Following too closely decreases a driver’s reaction time. Motorists should be aware that a fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and requires almost two football fields to stop when traveling at highway speeds.
· Use and watch for turn signals. CMVs require extra room to turn. Large trucks turning right may need to move left to create enough turning space. Drivers should stay back and avoid passing on the right to prevent being squeezed.
Large vehicles require extra space in roundabouts
All motorists approaching a roundabout must yield to traffic already within a roundabout. When approaching a roundabout alongside or closely adjacent to a vehicle 40 feet or longer, including buses and CMVs, state law requires drivers of smaller vehicles to yield or slow down, allowing larger vehicles first entrance and space through the roundabout.
CMV operators and carriers are critical to highway safety
State Patrol troopers and inspectors work regularly to enforce traffic laws and educate CMV operators to prevent crashes on Wisconsin’s roads. They weigh more than three million CMVs and complete over 30,000 inspections every year.
State Patrol staff also help new motor carriers develop safety practices and provide free training seminars to help CMV operators and carriers recognize their critical role in highway safety. WisDOT’s website and the 511 app provide additional motor carrier and trucking information.
View the July Law of the Month video and news release online: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/law/lom.aspx
