“Why do 18-wheelers warn about ‘wide right turns’ and not left? Discover the reason behind these caution signs. ππ€ #TruckingFacts #RoadSafety #DrivingTips #TruckSigns
Ever noticed those “wide right turns” signs on 18-wheelers and wondered why they aren’t for left turns? Let’s uncover the mystery behind these caution signs that you see on big rigs.
Reasons for ‘Wide Right Turns’ Signs:
1. Vehicle Size and Length:
– 18-wheelers have a longer wheelbase and trailer, making right turns trickier than left turns due to the vehicle’s width.
– The rear wheels of the trailer follow a shorter path during right turns, requiring more space to avoid hitting curbs or obstacles.
2. Traffic and Visibility Concerns:
– Right turns often intersect with oncoming traffic lanes, pedestrians, and cyclists, necessitating a wider radius to make the turn safely.
– By warning other drivers and road users about the sharpness of the turn, the signs enhance overall road safety.
3. Regulatory Compliance:
– The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates these signs to prevent accidents and mitigate the risks associated with large trucks making right turns.
– These signs ensure compliance with safety regulations and help mitigate liability for trucking companies.
In conclusion, the ‘wide right turns’ signs on 18-wheelers serve a vital safety purpose due to various factors like vehicle size, traffic concerns, and regulatory requirements. Next time you see one of these signs, you’ll understand why they’re there and how they contribute to safer roads. Stay informed and drive safely! #TruckTurns #SafetyFirst #TruckersLife“
Because when they turn right they may need to go into the left lane to make the turn into the right lane. That is unlikely to be the case for a left turn
Left turns are generally wide by default. When making a right turn, they may need to veer left a bit before committing to the right turn in order to clear a sharp corner.
To make a tight right turn a transport may need to move part or fully into the left lane. Some drivers don’t understand that and will try to pass the truck on the right. Hence the warnings. Left turns are rarely tight turns. (Afterall you’re passing at least one lane of on comming traffic).
Because left turns are already wide most of the time
It’s basically because we in the USA drive on the right side of the road. They are already close to the curb when they start the right turn, so they need to swing to the left a bit so that they don’t run over it as they turn. On the other hand, if they’re taking a left turn, they’re already on the other side of the road from the curb so they don’t need to adjust.
I’m sure the reverse is true in countries where they drive on the left side.
Left turns are already wide. For a right turn, they sometimes go a bit into a left lane to then go right.
They’re warning you not to go into the right lane to get around them.
Because in the US, we are driving on the right side of the road. We already take wide left turns and there is generally more room to take the left turn.
Right turns are tight, left turns have the whole intersection. You got one… use it.
I once saw a car get pinned to a traffic pole because he slid into the right turn lane next to a tractor trailer. The truck driver never saw him and they both attempted the turn at the same time.
Lesson is if you ever see a big rig with a right blinker on as you come up to an intersection, let them make their turn before going.
All left turns are wide.
Others have already supplied the reason but what gets me is in the last several years Iβve started seeing passenger vehicles making wide right turns too, I guess either because theyβve seen big rigs do it or theyβre just not slowing down enough. If youβre not driving a big rig, just drive like a normal person dude.
Because right turns are sharper than left turns because you’re closer to the right-hand curb, and the lane you’re trying to turn into is closer to the right-hand curb on the cross-street. This means you have to swing wide to make sure your trailer doesn’t cross the curb and clip anything, but that’s less of an issue when turning left because you’re in the far lane and going to the far lane so there’s more room between you and anything you might hit with your trailer.
Do European trucks have a left turn warning?
The radius of a right turn is smaller because itβs from outer lane to outer lane so trucks often have to swing into the next lane to get around the corner. A left turn is inside lane to inside lane and has a much larger turning radius.