A long-haul truck driver has shared a little-known road rule that could change your road trips forever.
Trev, a veteran truck driver who travels on the busy Newell Highway from Victoria to Southern Queensland, revealed the unwritten rule of road etiquette.
His simple four-step process could change the way motorists interact with trucks forever, and result in safer and more efficient overtaking.
A long-haul truck driver has shared a little-known rule of road etiquette that could change the way drivers interact with trucks forever
The unwritten rule reveals how motorists can help trucks overtake on a highway by using a simple four-step process and clear communication
According to the government's National Heavy Vehicle regulator, road trains can be up to 53.5 metres long, meaning overtaking one can be intimidating.
Four-step process for overtaking trucks
1. Communicate to the truck driver you will help them overtake by flashing your right indicator
2. Decelerate as the truck overtakes by removing your foot from the pedal for a few seconds
3. Once the truck's back trailer has cleared your bonnet flash your high beams to indicate it is safe
4. The truck driver can then move back into the left lane safely
When travelling on a busy highway alongside long-haul trucks of all sizes, it is important to have clear communication with other road users.
The first step of the rule applies to a motorist who has a truck behind them travelling at the same speed and wants them to take over.
Trev recommends if the road is clear ahead and it is safe to do so, to communicate to the truck driver you will help them pass by flashing your right indicator.
Now that the truckie knows you're going to help them, they may indicate and move across to overtake the motorist.
Trev says the best thing the driver can do now is to slow down just a fraction, to allow the truck to move past as safely and quickly as possible.
He explained this didn't mean decelerating substantially, instead simply removing your foot from the pedal for a few seconds will have the desired effect.
Once the prime mover's back trailer has cleared the bonnet this is when the driver can briefly flash their high beams.
This communicates to the truck driver it is safe for them to move back across to the left lane in front of your car.
Drivers can help truckies overtake by flashing their right indicator, slowing down a fraction and then flashing their high beams to communicate it was safe to move back in the left lane
After the prime mover has been safely secured in the lane, it is likely the truckie will communicate their thanks by alternatively flashing the eft and right indicators
After the prime mover has been safely secured in the lane, it is likely the truckie will communicate their thanks by alternatively flashing the left and right indicators.
Emily Mills, from the Australian Trucking Association , said it was important that drivers understood our roads and highways are a truck driver's workplace.
'It's really important we are aware and respectful of their needs, especially when it comes to sharing the road safety', she told Escape.
Ms Mills said avoiding truck blind spots, not cutting in front, and giving them plenty of room when they're turning can make the world of difference.
'Truck drivers are professionally trained – everything they do on the road is planned to keep themselves, road users and their load safe.'