# 5 Safe Driving Tips for Sharing the Road With Truck Drivers in Texas | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. 1. Avoid Blind Spots 2. 2. Leave a “Cushion” Between You and the Truck 3. 3. Take Extra Precautions When Merging and Passing 4. 4. Be Prepared for Wide Turns 5. 5. Never Drive Fatigued Or Under the Influence 6. Safety First 7. Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim ![5 Safe Driving Tips For Sharing The Road With Truck Drivers In Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/5-Safe-Driving-Tips-For-Sharing-The-Road-With-Truck-Drivers-In-Texas-300x200.jpg) [Driving on Texas highways](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/interstate/) means that you will, inevitably, be sharing the road with a variety of vehicles. Among these, trucks are arguably one of the most significant hazards to passenger vehicles. Getting into a truck accident can be far more consequential — and devastating — than an accident with another passenger vehicle.  To avoid tragedy as well as you can, experts recommend following these five key safe driving tips for sharing the road with truck drivers in Texas: ## 1. Avoid Blind Spots Those signs you spot on 18-wheelers warning tailgating drivers about the trucker’s inability to see the passenger vehicle in its blind spot are serious.  According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), [a good rule of thumb](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/tips-driving-safely-around-large-trucks-or-buses) to keep in mind is that if you can’t see a trucker’s face in the rearview mirror, the trucker can’t see you. And that sets the stage for a devastating [highway accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/highway/). As such, you’ll want to avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spots and change lanes to get out of the blind spots whenever it’s safely possible to do so. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## 2. Leave a “Cushion” Between You and the Truck According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), large trucks and buses need the length of approximately two football fields (or approximately 720 feet) to stop safely. If you drive too close to one of these vehicles, you may not have enough time or space to stop your car safely if the other driver brakes suddenly.  If you cannot avoid driving near a truck, leaving at least ten seconds of a distance “cushion” between the two vehicles is the best course of action. ## 3. Take Extra Precautions When Merging and Passing If you can merge away or otherwise pass a truck instead of ending up too close behind them, you should do so. However, you must take extra precautions when you do so.  Some of these include the following: - **Avoid Passing on the Right-Hand Side:**Truckers have a blind spot on the right side of their rigs; driving there means they won’t see you. - **Avoid Passing When Going Down a Hill or Around a Steep Curve:** These conditions are dangerous for passenger cars, and the danger is only compounded by a truck’s presence. - **Ensure Visibility:**Before merging in front, ensure you can see the truck in your rearview mirror. Finally, remember that trucks need plenty of time and space to stop safely, so make sure there’s extra space between you and the truck as it changes lanes. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## 4. Be Prepared for Wide Turns Large trucks and buses need extra space to make left and right turns safely and carefully. Apply more space than necessary between your vehicle and the truck or bus when you know a turn is up ahead, and pay attention to any signs the driver gives that they may be making a turn (such as turning on a signal or flagging passing cars). Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## 5. Never Drive Fatigued Or Under the Influence Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired or compromised by drugs or alcohol can lead to a catastrophic passenger vehicle accident, and it can be doubly devastating if the accident involves a large truck or bus. Be alert at all times. If in doubt, sit it out. ## Safety First Even under the best circumstances, accidents happen. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve for your injuries. ## Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Claim Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Truck Accidents Blog Posts: [![5 Things You Didn't Know About Semi-Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-semi-trucks/) [5 Things You Didn't Know About Semi-Trucks](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-semi-trucks/) Before the pandemic, the trucking industry seldom got the credit it deserved. Now, most Americans appreciate the value [![Truck accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/18-Wheeler-Brakes-A-Look-at-Semi-Truck-Brake-Systems-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/18-wheeler-brakes-a-look-at-semi-truck-brake-systems/) [18-Wheeler Brakes: A Look at Semi-Truck Brake Systems](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/18-wheeler-brakes-a-look-at-semi-truck-brake-systems/) An 18-wheeler is much more prone to equipment failures than passenger vehicles. A truck could travel hundreds of [![How to Report an Unsafe Truck Driver in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-to-Report-an-Unsafe-Truck-Driver-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-report-an-unsafe-truck-driver-in-texas/) [How to Report an Unsafe Truck Driver in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-report-an-unsafe-truck-driver-in-texas/) Trucks are by far the most prominent and heaviest vehicles on Texas roads. With a full load, trucks can weigh upwards [![Man Driving U-haul Dies in Crash After Speeding Away From Hit-and-run in SW Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Man-Driving-U-haul-Dies-in-Crash-After-Speeding-Away-From-Hit-run-in-SW-Houston-300x199.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/man-driving-u-haul-dies-in-crash-after-speeding-away-from-hit-and-run-in-sw-houston/) [Man Driving U-Haul Dies in Crash After Speeding Away From Hit and Run in SW Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/man-driving-u-haul-dies-in-crash-after-speeding-away-from-hit-and-run-in-sw-houston/) Houston police said that a man who was fleeing from a hit-and-run crash died when he caused another crash. According --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-safe-driving-tips-for-sharing-the-road-with-truck-drivers-in-texas/