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There reason the MSF course warns you about the
motorcycle/truck
"No-Zone" is not because of the wind. There may be a
little wind buffeting around the rear and the front of a
18 wheeler but nothing to be concerned about. The
important thing is - Can the
driver see you?
Best bet, always assume he can't. Don't be afraid of trucks. The noise shakes up a lot
of motorcycle riders, including so called experienced
ones. They get all panicky, and get the
shakes, but the fact is, in most cases passing a truck
on the interstate is no more dangerous than
other vehicles on the road, with a few exceptions.
 Road
Gators - A road gator is pieces of truck tires left when a retread tire shreds on the Interstate.
The tire tread look like an alligator's back. If you are
riding (tailgating behind a truck) the truck will easily
pass over them, you won't see it or other obstacles
until it's too late. There is a also a possibility of one of
those puppies might come off when you're behind or beside it.
Just Stay Back!!!
Stopping distance: Trucks can stop as fast as
cars on a good road, with good tires. proper load, good
brakes and proper length. A heavier vehicle requires more
energy to brake to a stop than does a lighter vehicle, that does NOT mean the heavier vehicle takes more time or more distance to stop. Traction
increases as a result of added weight
- more braking can be used without starting a skid.
Truck drivers say it takes longer. Who's right? Who
cares. If you are drafting or tailgating, he'll see it before you,
he'll react before you and start
braking before you,
Stay Back!!!
Be seen or prepare to react - Don't be afraid
of passing a large truck, just be aware that the driver may not
see you. Visibility - Let's face it, you
can't see over and some cases around a big truck. This
makes it hard to judge what is going to happen up ahead.
So just get around the thing and get on your way. Remember that the blind spots
trucks have can cause serious problems if a motorcycle passes on the right
- they may not be expecting it. Pass on the left. Your
motorcycle is invisible in the “No Zone” This
could mean
trouble if the truck driver does not know you are
there and tries to change lanes or has to stop
suddenly.
To stay out of these four “No Zones”
make yourself visible. Pull ahead or drop back
so the truck driver can see you. Remember, if you
cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, he or she
probably cannot see you. Most truck drivers may be safe, professional drivers,
but some may not be. Never give control of a situation
to another driver.
You are responsible for your own safety. |
