4 Crucial Safety Tips When Driving Near Lorries
Planning a fun family road trip during the school holidays? That sounds exciting! But while you’re making memories on the highway, remember—heavy commercial vehicles like lorries are still hard at work. Sharing the road with them is inevitable, and staying safe is all about knowing how to drive smart around these massive machines.
Whether you’re renting a car or considering renting a lorry vs car for a long trip or moving day, these 4 safety tips for driving near heavy vehicles will keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.
by TheLorry on 5 August 2025.
It’s the school holiday season and surely, you’ve got your family road trip all planned out. However, keep in mind that it’s still “business as usual” for heavy commercial vehicles and lorries to make their journey along the highways.
And yes, we can keep going on and on about how bad some heavy vehicle drivers are in Malaysia. However, if you do your part to be vigilant and follow these safety tips, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a stress-free road trip with your family during the Holidays.
1. Stay Away from The Heavy Vehicle’s Blind Spots
You’ve probably honk in frustration thinking, “What is this fella doing? Doesn’t he watch where he’s going?” Well, heavy vehicle drivers (like lorries) have blind spots that are different compared with a regular size vehicle.
So, when you encounter a huge lorry, try to avoid driving into the blind spots. In other words, if you can’t see the driver’s mirror, the driver can’t see you.
You’ve probably shouted at a lorry, “Didn’t you see me?!” The truth is, the driver likely didn’t—heavy vehicles have significant blind spots compared to regular cars.
Avoid these danger zones:
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Directly behind the lorry
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Along both sides (especially passenger side)
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Right in front of the cab
📌 Quick Tip: If you can’t see the lorry driver in their side mirror, they can’t see you.
👉 Check out this blind spot guide for detailed visibility tips.
2. Avoid Tailgating
Some drivers may have a habit to tailgate another vehicle – but tailgating a heavy vehicle is unwise. For starters, you won’t be able to get a good view of what’s ahead of the road if you follow the heavy vehicle too closely.
And what if the vehicle would have to make an emergency stop? You wouldn’t be able to react on time and the driver would not be able to see you since you’re in his blind spot. Here are some recommended distances to avoid situations like this.
| Vehicle Speed | Stopping distance (metres) | |
| Car | Lorry | |
| 60km/h | 73 | 83 |
| 70km/h | 91 | 05 |
| 80km/h | 111 | 130 |
| 90km/h | 133 | 156 |
| 100km/h | 157 | 185 |
📌 Always keep at least 3–4 seconds of space between you and the lorry.
🔗 Learn more from the Department of Transport Queensland
3. Anticipate The Driver’s Turns.
OK. Some of us are guilty of this. We have a tendency to make a turn alongside a heavy vehicle. As a result, we’re technically denying any clearance for the drivers to make a sharp turn without damaging their precious cargo trailer and any vehicle or property in proximity. So, before you floor your accelerator pedal, look out for heavy vehicles and give them some space for them to make a turning.
📌 Rule of thumb: If a lorry’s turning, let them go first.
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4. Avoid Overtaking Heavy Vehicles On A Curve Road Or A Hill
It’s harder to see what’s in front of us when there’s a large vehicle blocking your view – and that can be dangerous if you attempt to overtake it on a curve road or a hill. If you must, find a straight route that’ll allow you to peer through the other lane and overtake with caution.
Visibility is king when overtaking a lorry. On hills or bends, you can’t see far enough ahead to safely pass. Trucks may also lose momentum or shift lanes unexpectedly.
✔️ Instead, wait for a clear, straight stretch of road where overtaking is legal and safe.
🚦 Even if you’re in a rush, your life is worth the extra minute.
Be Courteous, Be Patient, Be Cool
The most important tip of all. Try to keep your cool and not let road rage “take the wheel” if you encounter a road bully. Be patient when you insist on overtaking the vehicle and indicate if you do so. After all, a safe driver is no good if they don’t keep their cool and maintain focus.
We also previously discussed in Bahasa Malaysia: 6 Tips Semasa Memandu Berdekatan Lori
Courtesy is underrated. Road rage, aggressive overtaking, or impatience can be deadly near large vehicles. Stay calm, use your indicators, and respect the space heavy vehicles need.
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👉 Explore our On-Demand Lori Sewa:
https://bookings.thelorry.com/my/standard
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Each one expands on how to be safer, smarter, and more prepared on Malaysia’s busy roads.
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