Traffic safety tips: Safety near large commercial vehicles
Published
Alberta’s government is reminding drivers to be aware of the big differences between their personal vehicles and larger commercial vehicles like buses and semi-trucks.
Alberta’s government is reminding drivers to be aware of the big differences between their personal vehicles and larger commercial vehicles like buses and semi-trucks.
When driving near a semi-truck or bus, please remember:
- Unlike personal vehicles, trucks and buses need more room on the road to operate safely.
- Large vehicles, like a semi-truck or bus, also take longer to stop than passenger vehicles because of their size and weight, as well as the condition and temperature of the vehicle’s brakes.
- Give semi-trucks and buses the room they need to operate safely by avoiding blind spots and not following too closely.
- Semi-trucks will usually swing slightly to the left before making a right-hand turn; do not assume the driver is turning left.
- Leave at least three metres between your vehicle and the rear of a semi-truck stopped at a light or stop sign, especially on a hill.
When passenger vehicles are involved in a collision with a large vehicle such as a semi-truck or bus, the occupants are more likely to be killed or injured because of the differences in weight, stopping distance and rollover potential.
Commercial vehicle drivers can contribute to traffic safety by doing the following:
- Stay alert while driving, pull over for the day when you’re tired, and follow the Hours of Service Regulation.
- Maintain a safe following distance.
- Be aware of your blind spots and make wide turns safely.
- Ensure that cargo is properly secured.
- Follow 511 Alberta to stay updated on road conditions, traffic, construction and weather conditions.
Quick facts
- In 2022, there were 25 fatal and 65 major-injury collisions involving semi-trucks.
- Semi-truck drivers were less likely to have been legally impaired compared to drivers in casualty collisions.
- Of the 289 people killed in collisions with semi-trucks between 2018 and 2022, about three out of four (75 per cent) were occupants of passenger vehicles and another six per cent were pedestrians or cyclists.
- As of March 31, 2024, there were 85,034 semi-trucks registered in Alberta.
- As of March 31, 2024, there were 155,023 Class 1 drivers, 25,029 Class 2 (bus) drivers and 134,086 Class 3 drivers registered in Alberta.
Related information
- Share the road | Alberta.ca
- Vehicle Inspection Program – Commercial vehicles | Alberta.ca