Road_to_Solo_driving_handbook (2)

Rules and responsibilities
to do so or decrease speed and pull
back to where you can be seen. More
information on blind spots can be found
on page 40.
Don’t cut in
Trucks are longer and heavier than cars
and it takes them longer to stop safely.
So, when you are overtaking a truck
or changing lanes, don’t pull in to the
empty space immediately in front of a
truck. This is their ‘safety margin’.
Tip
If you can’t see the whole front
of the truck in your rear vision
mirror before you pull into the
same lane, there may not be
enough room for the truck to
stop safely if the traffic suddenly
stops; it may hit you or another
vehicle. Be careful and leave
yourself plenty of room when
turning in the vicinity of a truck.
Trucks pick up and deliver goods
Be prepared for trucks that are entering
or leaving driveways, roads or loading
docks to pick up and deliver goods.
Sometimes this will require extra
patience and courtesy on your part
to let them do so safely. Always be
prepared to allow extra room for a truck
to swing in or out of delivery points.
If possible make eye contact with
the driver to let them know you have
seen them.
The nature of trucks
Trucks are bigger and heavier than
cars and therefore take more time to
accelerate especially when starting,
merging into traffic or going uphill. You
need to allow for this if you see a truck
pulling into traffic ahead of you. Be
prepared to overtake if it’s safe, or to
reduce speed if necessary.
Signs on trucks
An ‘Oversize’ sign, sometimes
accompanied by flashing amber lights,
is displayed on a truck that is longer
or wider than usual. The load may even
overhang into your lane. Take notice
and watch what is different about it
and adjust your driving to suit.
Remember, yellow flashing lights always
indicate caution is necessary. Some
oversized trucks are supported by pilot
vehicles and VicRoads Transport Safety
Services vehicles. Pilot vehicles provide
advance warning to other road
users of the presence of ‘Oversize’
vehicles and staff in VicRoads vehicles
manage traffic.
Oversize sign
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