Alberta RCMP Press Release – June 12, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta
With summer around the corner, roadways will become increasingly busy, and your Alberta RCMP would like to remind commercial and passenger-vehicle motorists how to share our provincial roads responsibly.
Sharing the road with, or operating, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, or other commercial vehicles, requires extra caution.
In order to help prevent collisions involving a commercial vehicle, follow the below tips:
Commercial Vehicle Drivers:
- Always complete trip inspections to ensure your vehicle is in proper operating condition.
- Always carry the required inspection certificates.
- Stay alert while driving and pull over when tired.
- Pre-plan your trip and help ensure your safety by staying updated on road, traffic, construction, and weather conditions.
- Maintain a safe following distance with other vehicles.
- Be aware of blind spots and make wide turns safely.
- If you are hauling or transporting cargo, ensure that it is properly secured.
Passenger Vehicle Drivers:
- Stay far enough behind big trucks in order to see both of its side mirrors. If you can’t see the truck driver, they can’t see you.
- Increase your following distance behind larger vehicles in order to see oncoming traffic.
- Oncoming commercial vehicles can create strong wind gusts, large splashes in wet conditions, or sprays of rocks and debris. Practice defensive driving and brace when they are passing.
- Leave extra space when passing or changing lanes in front of a commercial vehicle as they require more time to slow down or come to a stop.
- Stay back when large vehicles are indicating right or left, as they require a wide turning radius.
“Commercial-passenger vehicle collisions have added dangers due to the size and weight of larger vehicles,” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Taking extra precaution around trucks and trailers can significantly reduce the risk of collision.”
For more traffic safety information, please follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and X @RCMPAlberta.
Author: PressRelease
