Braking in Front of a Semi

I'm a semi truck driver and I've been cut off so many times by passenger vehicles racing around me to take an off ramp and then braking. It's been close a couple times to the point I'm going to buy a dash cam to protect myself.

I know if any driver rear ends another it's the one that hits from behind that is found at fault. How would this play out if I at some point unable to stop quick enough? Most drivers don't realize 60,000 lbs. does not stop on a dime.

Learn to Drive Smart

Our provincial driving manual Learn to Drive Smart has this to say in the chapter on sharing the road:

If you pass a large vehicle, or make a lane change in front of one, remember to leave extra room before you pull in. Big vehicles take longer to slow down. Make sure you can see the truck’s headlights in your rear-view mirror before you re-enter the lane, and maintain your speed once you get there. 

Many drivers seem to have forgotten this or never learned it to start with.

Dash Cam Evidence

I think you will find that if a rear end collision results under circumstances like these the courts are going to find the smaller vehicle at fault. That driver chose to put you in a situation that you could not control or prevent, not vice versa!

Braking Capacity

Typically a fully loaded heavy commercial vehicle can have a little as 50% of the braking capacity of a car or light truck. This is a normal situation that few light vehicle drivers seem to realize. 

Knowing that, it is crazy to get in front of one and brake without leaving sufficient distance.

Learn More

• The No Zone
• Thinking Ahead of Big Trucks

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