What is the best practice when passing a truck on the highway?

Maintaining a steady speed and being aware of the truck's speed is essential when passing a truck on the highway for several reasons. Trucks are much larger than standard vehicles, and their acceleration and braking times differ significantly from smaller cars. By keeping a steady speed, you can better judge the distance and time needed for a safe pass.

Moreover, understanding the truck's speed allows you to gauge whether it is accelerating or decelerating, making it easier to determine when it is safe to move back into your lane after passing. This approach minimizes the risk of any sudden maneuvers, ensuring that both you and the truck driver maintain a safe buffer zone during the passing process.

Passing quickly might seem intuitive, but it can lead to unsafe situations if not executed with consideration of the truck's dimensions and speed. Additionally, while it is appropriate to pass on the left due to visibility reasons, simply choosing that side without the awareness of speed could create hazards. Moving to the right side of a truck before passing is not advisable either, as it can create blind spots and increase risks for both the driver and the truck operator. Hence, maintaining a steady speed while being conscious of the truck's behavior is the best practice for safe highway passing.