70 | Driver’s Manual When you approach a truck When you pass When a truck is backing up When you stop behind a truck Never pass close behind a large vehicle that  is backing up. Often a truck driver has to block a  road to back into an area to load or unload goods.  Be patient! It is far better to wait until the large vehicle has  Always leave space when you stop in back of a  truck or bus at a traffic light or stop sign, especial- ly when you face up a hill. The truck or bus could  move backward slightly when it starts. If you leave  enough room between your vehicle and the vehi- cle ahead, you usually can pull away from behind  and go around it. When you pass a large vehicle, it takes a lon- ger time and requires more space than when you  pass a car. On a two-way road, leave more time  and space when you pass a large vehicle. Make  sure you can see the whole front of the vehicle  before you return to your lane after you pass. A  large vehicle normally loses speed on a grade or  a hill. Look far ahead when you drive. If you need  to pass a large vehicle, be prepared and know  when you are near a grade that can cause the  other vehicle to decrease speed. Also, as your  own vehicle begins a downward grade, the speed  of the other vehicle can increase significantly. This  will increase the time it takes you to pass it. completed its backup maneuver than to try to  pass. If you try to pass in this situation, it is likely  that you will enter one of the blind spots. This  could make your vehicle invisible to the driver  and increase the risk of a traffic crash. Do not underestimate the size and speed of an  approaching tractor-trailer or other large vehicle.  Its larger size will often make it appear to move at  a slower speed than it really is. Also, from a dis- tance it may not appear to be as large as it really  is. The other vehicle will often reach you before  you expect! When you drive on a two-way high- way, it is often better to move as far to the right as  possible to make sure your vehicle will not be hit  by an approaching tractor-trailer or other large vehicle. • Do not delay near a large vehicle. You may  not be visible to the driver in the wide area  the truck needs for making a turn. *Distance based on a study of average braking distances by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety + reaction  distance recommended by the National Safety Council Passenger Car Tractor-Trailer With Cool Brakes Tractor-Trailer With Hot Brakes Tractor - Trailer, Empty Tractor Unit Only Average Total Stopping Distance at 55 MPH*