National Truck Driver Appreciation Week: Veteran trucker shares tips to help drivers stay safe around big rigs11ALIVEDoug TurnbullUpdatedThu, September 17, 2026 at 11:16 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleAs National Truck Driver Appreciation Week continues, trucking advocates say one of the best ways motorists can show their gratitude is by driving safely and attentively around tractor-trailers.Longtime truck driver and safety advocate Herschel Evans said many crashes involving semi-trucks stem from mistakes made by drivers of smaller vehicles who underestimate the challenges truckers face on the road.After nearly 40 years behind the wheel, Evans said one of the most important things drivers need to remember is that tractor-trailers have large blind spots on all four sides, with the largest extending along the truck's right side.AdvertisementAdvertisement"It can be three lanes wide and as long as the entire truck," Evans said."One of the best ways you can ensure you're not in a truck's blind spot is to look for the mirrors on the side of the truck and see if you can see that driver's smiling face in those mirrors," Evans explained.Safety tips for sharing the road with trucksEvans recommends drivers:Avoid lingering in a truck's blind spots.Pass trucks efficiently and safely.Use extra caution when merging in front of a truck.Avoid tailgating tractor-trailers.Stay focused and minimize distractions behind the wheel.Evans also noted that front blind spots can extend 15 to 20 feet ahead of a truck, particularly in slow-moving traffic.AdvertisementAdvertisementStopping distance is another major factor. Evans said tractor-trailers traveling at highway speeds can require well over 130 yards, more than the length of a football field, to come to a complete stop.That extra stopping distance is one reason drivers should avoid cutting closely in front of trucks or following them too closely, Evans said. Tailgating can leave motorists with little time to react if traffic suddenly slows but also very much limits their field of view behind big trucks.Evans said the safest thing drivers can do is remain alert, avoid distractions and remember that mistakes around large trucks can have serious consequences, because everyone wants to get home safely.
