Question: I travel a lot and I see a number of people making some poor choices when it comes to passing semis and large vehicles. There is no way these big rigs can stop in time when people do these unsafe maneuvers.
Can you write about this?
Answer: A commercial vehicle is a motor vehicle or a combination of motor vehicles that weighs more than 26,000 pounds and is used to transport passengers or property. Buses, including school buses of all sizes, and smaller vehicles with hazardous materials placards are also considered commercial vehicles.
• Before passing a commercial vehicle, make sure you have safe clearance to the side, behind and ahead of your vehicle.
• On a level highway, it takes 3 to 5 seconds longer to pass a commercial vehicle than a car. You should allow enough time to pass and return to the right lane before coming within 100 feet of oncoming traffic.
• If you plan to exit or turn off the road soon, do not pass a commercial vehicle. Instead, stay behind the commercial vehicle until you reach the exit.
• When attempting to pass while going uphill, keep in mind commercial vehicles often lose speed on an upgrade, making them easier to pass than a car.
• When attempting to pass while going downhill, keep in mind commercial vehicles increase speed on a downgrade. Allow more distance between vehicles.
• Complete your pass quickly, do not remain alongside the commercial vehicle. Move back into your lane only when you can see the front of the commercial vehicle in your rearview mirror. Maintain your speed after passing.
• When a commercial vehicle passes, keep to the far side of your lane and slightly reduce your speed. Do not speed up while the commercial vehicle is passing.
• When meeting a commercial vehicle from the opposite direction, stay as far to the right as possible to avoid a sideswipe crash and to reduce wind turbulence between the vehicles. Turbulence will push the vehicles away from each other, not toward each other.
• Judging speed and distance: Because of their large size, commercial vehicles often appear to be traveling slower than they actually are. Many car-commercial vehicle collisions occur at intersections because the driver of the car misjudges the speed and distance of the commercial vehicle.
Any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, 2900 48th St., NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or send an email to: Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.