It is dangerous to follow a truck too closely mainly because trucks have long stopping distances, large blind spots, and high bumpers that can override smaller vehicles in a collision. Following a truck too closely increases the risk of a serious or fatal rear-end collision since the truck driver may not see you and you cannot see what is ahead of the truck to react in time if it stops suddenly. Additionally, the size and weight difference mean that in a collision, occupants of smaller vehicles are at much greater risk of injury.
Key reasons include:
- Trucks need significantly more distance to stop safely due to their size and weight.
- Following too closely puts you in the truck’s blind spots, meaning the driver may not be aware of your presence.
- In an accident, the truck’s bumper is higher, so a smaller vehicle can slide underneath or take more severe damage.
- Trucks block your view of the road ahead, so you can't see hazards or slowing traffic in time.
- Tailgating reduces the time and space needed to react to sudden stops or emergencies.
For safety, it is advised to keep a substantial following distance (e.g., 4 seconds or more) behind trucks, avoid lingering in their blind spots, and never tailgate.
