Careful around big rigs on the highway when you leave Johnsburg for vacation

Heading out the highway from Johnsburg for

a vacation? It's a good idea to give those
big rigs a little space. Semitrucks can't
maneuver the way you can in your car, truck
or SUV. And they can't stop as quick.

Are you planning to pack up the car and hit the highway for regions where you’ll find fun and adventure? It’s summer in Johnsburg and this is the right time for a vacation, isn’t it? But if you’re going to travel in the family car, truck or SUV, first make sure that your vehicle is ready for the trip.

You want to get where you’re going, no matter how far from your Johnsburg home, safe and without any breakdowns. That means changing the oil before you go, having the cooling system checked, the tires checked, the charging system checked, the tires and brakes checked, and the AC checked. You want the car, truck or SUV given a thorough examination to ensure that everything is in tip-top shape before you leave home.

While it’s critical to have your vehicle ready for the road, you also want to be safe while you’re out there on the road. And one big concern on the road is the big rigs on the road.

Give those semis some extra room on the road

Did you know that the maximum legal weight for a fully loaded semi-truck and trailer is 40 tons? The average car, truck or SUV weighs closer to 2 tons. That means that the semi behind you could weigh 20 times as much as your car weighs.

If you get into a collision with a semi, you’re at a distinct disadvantage.

With all that weight, it’s important to understand certain differences in the way they drive. A rig that big (the maximum trailer length is 53 feet) isn’t as maneuverable as your Chevy SUV. And it’s important to note that they can’t stop the way you can.

A 2-ton car, traveling at 60 mph, needs approximately 300 feet to stop (the length of a football field). A 40-ton semi-truck needs about 525 feet to stop – almost twice as far.

Considering, you probably don’t want to pull in too close in front of a semi-truck.

When you get into town and a semi-truck needs to turn at an intersection, they need enough room so their rear-trailer tires don’t go over the curb. Therefore, they’ll hook out a little as they start the turn or as the come out of the turn. You don’t want to try sneaking in between them and the curb. When the trailer comes around, you’ll find that you don’t fit.

Another consideration is the draft that a semi-truck creates. If a semi-truck blasts past you, the wind it creates can push your vehicle around a bit.

One other thing to consider about semi-trucks is their speed. Some semi-drivers will really get going on the highways. You want to stay a safe distance from them.

On the other hand, some semi-trucks seem to poke along. Often, the driver has no control over this. The speed is limited and the fastest they can go is 61, 62, or 63 mph. Have a little patience.

Hopefully, you’re going somewhere memorable for your vacation. But, drive careful so the most memorable part of the trip is getting home to Johnsburg safely.

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