Figure 7-22.Tractor-trailer left turn off tracking.
LEFT TURNS. On a left turn, ensure you have
reached the center of the intersection before you start
the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left side of your
vehicle may hit another vehicle because of off tracking
(fig. 7-22).
If there are two turning lanes, always take the
right-hand turn lane, as shown in figure 7-23. Do not
start in the inside lane because you may have to swing
right to make the left turn. You may not see vehicles on
the right and cause a collision.
Backing
When backing a tractor-trailer, reverse the
procedure you would use to back a bus or a straight
truck; for example, if you want the trailer to go to the
left, turn the steering wheel to the right. After the trailer
is headed in the desired direction, turn the steering wheel
slowly to the left. This puts the tractor in the same line
of travel as the trailer and prevents the tractor and trailer
from jackknifing. (The term jackknifing means a
condition where the tractor and trailer are jammed
together at an acute angle.)
Backing the trailer to the left is known as sight-side
backing because you have a better view of the area into
which you are backing, as shown in figure 7-24, view
A. Sight-side backing is the recommended method for
backing.
Reverse the sight-side backing procedures to back
a trailer to the right. This is known as blind-side backing
and should be done only when it is absolutely necessary.
As shown in figure 7-24, view B, as the driver, you
Figure 7-23.Left turn from right-hand lane.
cannot see the rear of your trailer or the area into which
you are backing.
CAUTION
You should always use a backing guide
when performing backing operations with a
tractor-trailer.
SAFETY
When pulled off the road with a tractor-trailer, turn
on the four-way emergency flashers. However, do not
trust taillights to provide a warning because drivers have
crashed into the rear of parked vehicles because they
thought it was moving. If you must stop on a road or on
a shoulder, you should place reflective triangles within
as soon as possible. The reflective triangles are placed
at the following locations:
1. On a two lane or undivided highway, place
reflective triangles on the traffic side of the vehicle
within 10 feet of the front or rear corners. This marks
the location of the vehicle. Additionally, place reflective
triangles about 100 feet behind and ahead of the
7-20