Final answer:
To safely share the road with large trucks and buses, it's essential to understand that they need a greater distance to stop compared to cars, especially at city driving speeds. The distance must be gauged based on the truck's speed and the urban speed limit, usually around 60 km/h. These limitations affect decision-making for safe road crossing and following distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Limitations of Large Trucks and Buses on Roads
To safely share the road with large trucks and buses, it is crucial to be aware of their limitations. The key limitations include the greater distance trucks cover before braking, the longer time they take to stop after hitting the brakes, and the total distance they require to come to a complete halt. These factors are especially important in city driving where the speed limits, like the standard 60 km/h, dictate how quickly a vehicle can safely stop.
For example, if the length of the average car is 3.5 meters, and you need to cross the road, you must consider that you need to walk at least 4 meters to be safe. If a truck is traveling at a given speed and it is 28 meters away, this distance equates to about 8 car lengths, which may or may not be a safe distance depending on the truck's speed and its ability to stop in time.
In an urban setting where the speed limit is 35 mph, as in the case of Peter stuck behind a slower vehicle, we must be aware that tailgating large vehicles is particularly dangerous due to their limitations in visibility and stopping distance. When crossing the road, one should always assume that a large truck will take a longer distance to stop compared to a small passenger car due to its mass and speed.