Arrive alive

Light vehicle drivers often push their luck when overtaking large trucks, with no two thoughts about the road conditions or the safety of other road users.
However, a lack of understanding about the length, mass and power of these big trucks with which we share our road network, all too often result in horrific and sometimes fatal accidents.
One such incident occurred on the B2 between Vergenoeg and Farm Sukses in June this year when a hatchback overtook a truck loaded with highly flammable fuel. Based on video footage, an oncoming sedan was forced off the road and onto the shoulder, with the driver losing control of the vehicle which subsequently overturned. The sole occupant of the sedan sustained serious injuries, while the driver of the hatchback continued without stopping at the scene of the accident they had just caused.
Following the accident and after viewing footage of the incident, the West Coast Safety Initiative said that what they had observed by the driver of the hatchback was reckless overtaking, blind crest overtaking and solid line overtaking.
(Scan the QR code on this page to see footage of the incident. Take note that the cause of the accident and the series of events preceding remain unclear and are part of a Nampol investigation.)
Sadly this kind of scenario is nothing new, with many drivers simply not realising that most trucks covering long-distance routes are interlink combinations that are up to 22 m in length, can weigh up to 56 tons and can be filled with as much as 44 000 litres of fuel, other liquids or even dangerous chemicals.

Consider this
Unsafe overtaking is something truck drivers see all too often. Other drivers can become impatient behind trucks or when there are few passing opportunities. Sadly, some people take a huge gamble with their and other road users’ lives when passing them for only a few seconds’ gains.
Consider that at 22 m, an interlink is between four and five times the length of a light motor vehicle. As a result, it will take time to pass safely. Furthermore, a truck weighs far more than the average 1 500 kg of a sedan, so colliding with a truck of this size can be fatal for the light vehicle driver and passengers.
A truck requires a far longer braking distance than a car. Don’t cut in front of a truck – more so when approaching a red robot or a roundabout. At a bare minimum, it takes 40% longer for a truck to come to a complete standstill. To give you an idea, a light vehicle driver travelling at 80 km/hour will take 33 m to react and another 36 m to brake, bringing the total stopping distance to 69 m.
This is on a dry road with good conditions.
In comparison, a truck travelling at 80 km/hour will need close to 100 m to stop. When the roads are wet, you can easily double the braking distance.
Remember that large trucks have large blind spots, which are located around their front end, back end and sides. This means that if you can’t see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, it's safe to assume that they can't see you either. It also means that any attempt to overtake the truck at that moment would be very risky.

Think ahead
Before attempting to overtake a truck, ask yourself what risks are involved, and is it safe and legal to pass. If the answer is no, don’t even attempt it.
It is also important to avoid being pressured into overtaking by other vehicles. Keep your cool and if necessary let them pass.
Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind to overtake a truck safely:
• If it becomes necessary to overtake, do not tailgate the truck ahead as it will greatly if not completely reduce your forward vision. Maintain a safe following distance.
• Scan the road for approaching traffic. Ensure you have enough space to safely complete the manoeuvre, check you know where the road goes next and that there are no inclines or declines hiding vehicles.
• Scan rear mirror for cars overtaking from behind
• If safe, use your indicators to show your intentions and check that no one else is attempting to overtake you and the truck ahead.
• Pull out before accelerating forward so the driver ahead knows you are coming.
• Pull in as soon as you can see the headlights of the truck you have passed in your centre rear-view mirror.
If you are involved in an accident or should you come across an accident, notify the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund at 9682 as soon as possible.