CUTTING IN FRONT OF TRUCKS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ON THE HIGHWAY

Cutting in front of trucks approaching traffic lights reduces the safety margin allowed by the truck driver to give ample room to stop and the possibility to still be moving when the lights change. If you fill this space you risk being hit from behind. A loaded B-double can weigh up to 50 times that of your average car and it is not physically possible to stop instantly.

People do not seem to be aware of the energy required to move up to 64 tonnes of B-double off from a standing start and conversely the energy and distance required to stop one.

I have even had the experience of a car overtaking me whilst approaching a red light, only to change from the otherwise empty right lane into the left lane for no other apparent reason than to make me pull up behind them.

Drivers of all large vehicles try to utilise the rolling momentum of the vehicle as much as possible by flowing with the traffic and holding back at lights to be still moving when the lights change to green. However, car drivers continually fill this space only to make the truck come to a complete stop and then have to start off from a standstill.

You will not save any time on your trip if hit from behind by a truck because you filled the space allowed to slow the truck, rather than come to an abrupt halt centimetres off your bumper and all traffic behind the truck then suffers as well.

On the highway many drivers seem to have to get in front of the truck. They pull out in front of a truck travelling at highway speed and put themselves and their passengers at risk of being hit to save perhaps a few seconds. Worst of all is when they then only travel a few hundred metres and as the truck is just starting to pick up speed again, they signal to turn off.

Surely it is safer to wait and pull out into a larger safer space, as forcing the truck to brake heavily not only inconveniences the truck driver, but also the traffic following behind. As a pedestrian you would not step out in front of a bus and hope it will stop, so why take a similar risk in front of a truck.

These practices only increase transport costs by higher wear and cost of brake components and increased fuel costs to get the vehicle moving again. One instance will not change the transport cost but this happens across Australia hundreds of times a day. These costs are in turn passed on in higher freight charges. Transport costs in Australia are very low considering the distance involved and the amount of tax, particularly on fuel, the industry pays. The transport industry is running at World's Best Practice and

if our roads could be further improved, all road users would benefit from safer travel and a lower road toll, (something we would all like to see). So please, think before you fill the space in front of a truck at lights or on the highway and give the truck driver room to slow safely. Remember, you are only protecting yourself and your passengers.

OVERTAKING (OR UNDERTAKING) TRUCKS WHEN TURNING

The "Do not overtake turning vehicle" sign fitted to the rear of vehicles over 7.5 metres in length allows these vehicles to legally turn from the second or third lane from the curb if needed to get around a corner. With indicators flashing, drivers still come up underneath a truck or trailer about to turn. Many are obviously unaware of the large blind spot to the left and rear of the truck cab. You may have seen stickers on some trucks: "If you can't see the truck driver, he can't see you".

This is well worth remembering. So if you come up behind a truck with indicators flashing to signal to turn, wait back and allow the driver plenty of room. You are helping him and yourself by not filling this space and putting you and/or your vehicle at risk.