Hawaii Drivers Permit Practice Test

Why must extra caution be taken when driving directly behind a heavy truck or bus?

1. The heavy truck driver may not see you

2. Your visibility is blocked by the truck

3. Both 1 and 2 above

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Both 1 and 2 above

Taking extra caution when driving directly behind a heavy truck or bus is crucial for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, larger vehicles have significant blind spots that can obstruct a driver's view of smaller vehicles, including yours. This contributes to the risk that the truck driver may not be aware of your presence, making it more likely for them to change lanes or come to a stop without seeing you. Secondly, following closely behind a large vehicle can severely limit your visibility of the road ahead. When you’re positioned directly behind a truck or bus, your line of sight is often blocked, which makes it difficult to see potential hazards, traffic signals, or changes in the driving conditions further down the road. This can hinder your ability to react to sudden stops or obstacles, increasing the likelihood of accidents. The combination of these two factors emphasizes the need for increased attentiveness and caution when following behind heavy vehicles, as both the impaired visibility and the potential for not being seen can lead to dangerous situations on the road.