Figure 2.12 If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you’re too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance (or 5 seconds, if you’re going over 40 mph). After a little practice, you will know how far back you should be. remember to add 1 second for speeds above 40 mph. Also remember that when the road is slippery, you need much more space to stop. you can’t stop others from following you too closely. But there are things you can do to make it safer. Stay to the Right.  heavy vehicles are often tailgated when they can’t keep up with the speed of traffic. This often happens when you’re going uphill. If a heavy load is slowing you down, stay in the right lane if you can. Going uphill, you should not pass another slow vehicle unless you can get around quickly and safely. Dealing with Tailgaters Safely.  In a large vehicle, it’s often hard to see whether a vehicle is close behind you. You may be tailgated: Find an open spot where you aren’t near other traffic. When traffic is heavy, it may be hard to find an open spot. if you must travel near other vehicles, try to keep as much space as possible between you and them. Also, drop back or pull forward so that you are sure the other driver can see you. Traveling Next to Others.  There are two dangers in traveling alongside other vehicles: •  Another driver may change lanes suddenly and turn into you. •  you may be trapped when you need to change lanes. •  Avoid tricks. Don’t turn on your taillights or flash your brake lights. Follow the suggestions above. •  Don’t speed up. it’s safer to be tailgated at a low speed than a high speed. •  increase your following distance. opening up room in front of you will help you to avoid having to make sudden speed or direction changes. it also makes it easier for the tailgater to get around you. •  Avoid quick changes. if you have to slow down or turn, signal early, and reduce speed very gradually. If you find yourself being tailgated, here are some things you can do to reduce the chances of a crash. Commercial vehicles are often wide and take up most of a lane. Safe drivers will manage what little space they have. you can do this by keeping your vehicle centered in your lane, and avoid driving alongside others. Staying Centered in a lane.  you need to keep your vehicle centered in the lane to keep safe clearance on either side. If your vehicle is wide, you have little room to spare. •  When you are traveling slowly. Drivers trapped behind slow vehicles often follow closely. •  in bad weather. Many car drivers follow large vehicles closely during bad weather, especially when it is hard to see the road ahead. 2005 Model Commercial Driver’s License Manual 2.7.3 – Space to the Sides 2.7.2 – Space Behind Strong Winds.  Strong winds make it difficult to stay in your lane. The problem is usually worse for lighter vehicles. This problem can be especially bad coming out of tunnels. Don’t drive alongside others if you can avoid it. Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-17 