Large Trucks and Buses

Large trucks and buses have a large presence on Missouri’s highways, but it’s not easy driving a large truck or bus.  They face different challenges on our roadways. 

Large trucks and buses are generally much bigger than a typical passenger vehicle, so blind spots called “No-Zones” exit on all four sides that prevent them from seeing things around them. 

Large trucks and buses are also significantly heavier than a typical passenger vehicle, so they need more time to stop. A fully loaded truck traveling in good road conditions at highway speeds needs a distance of nearly two football fields to stop!

Because they are generally much bigger than a typical passenger vehicle, large trucks and buses need extra room when they turn.  They will often move into adjacent lanes prior to and after a turning maneuver to avoid driving over a curb or sidewalk or hitting a car in an opposing travel lane.

Lastly, large trucks and buses will accelerate more slowly than a smaller vehicle.  They are likely hauling a very heavy load.  And some are governed by speed limiters.  Honking or driving aggressively can just be a distraction, which can be dangerous. 

Anyone who shares the road with large trucks and buses must be aware of these challenges to stay safe.  Together, there is plenty we can do to help make sure everyone stays safe on the road.

Tips for children

• Children should always stay buckled in their booster seat or seat belt as it is the easiest and most important defense against other unsafe drivers.
• Children should limit distractions while in the vehicle so the driver can focus on driving.
• Children should never play, ride, run, or walk in front of or behind a large truck or bus without the driver knowing they are there.
• When walking or riding near an intersection, if a large truck or bus is stopped at the intersection or about to turn right, children should step back from the curb to be safe and wait for them to turn before continuing their journey.
• If given an opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of a large truck or bus, children should do it! And children should encourage their parent or caregiver to do it with them!  Everyone will be surprised by what they can see – and what they can’t!

Tips for parents/caregivers

• Parents/caregivers should also never ride, run, or walk in front of or behind a large truck or bus without the driver knowing they are there.
• When traveling beside a large truck or bus, drivers should never linger alongside them for too long.  Slow down or move ahead to stay visible!
• Drivers should avoid passing a large truck or bus from the right lane due to the size of the right side “No Zone”.
• When traveling behind a large truck or bus, drivers should keep extra distance between themselves and the large truck or bus.  Tailgating a large truck or bus can not only put you in a “No Zone”, but it can also block your vision of what’s ahead.
• If you can see the truck or bus driver’s face in their side mirror, then the driver has the potential to see you.  However, if you cannot see the truck or bus driver’s face in the side mirror, then they might have no idea that you are driving next to or behind them.
• Drivers should never cut off a large truck or bus or move in front of a large truck or bus too quickly. Even if you are visible to them, if the truck or bus driver needs to reduce its speed abruptly, it will need a longer distance to come to a stop.
• Drivers should allow extra time to get around these larger vehicles when needing to pass.  Look for both of the truck or bus’s headlights in your rear-view mirror - if you can see that, then you are safe to get back in front of the large truck or bus without cutting them off.
• Watch the large truck or bus’s turning signal to see what the driver intends to do.  Stay back at least a car length when stopped behind a large truck or bus.
• Don’t try to sneak to the side or squeeze around large trucks or buses while it is making a turn!
• Don’t “block the box”, meaning don’t stop beyond the marked stop lines in an intersection.  It can leave your vehicle exposed to large trucks and buses and potentially block cross traffic, pedestrian crosswalks, and bike lanes.
• Be patient and give them room!