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While driving on the highway recently, I passed a tractor-trailer with a sign on the back that made me pause. It read: “Caution: This Truck Makes Wide Turns,” but what caught my attention wasn’t just the sign. It was the image next to it: a diagram of a truck making a sweeping right turn by first entering the left lane—a maneuver that is not only dangerous but also illegal. I got a passenger to snap a photo (see below), and it immediately raised an important question:
When a tractor-trailer swings left before turning right—often called a “jug-handle” turn—it can trap unsuspecting drivers in the right lane, leading to serious and sometimes catastrophic collisions. In the photo my passenger took of this trailer passing by, you can clearly see a car in the right lane—and a tractor-trailer turning in their path.
Let’s be clear: the federal rules require truck drivers to follow all local and state traffic laws. That is Federal Regulation 49 CFR §392.2. That includes turns that endanger other drivers.
In Georgia, OCGA §40-6-205 makes it illegal to “block the box”—entering an intersection without the ability to clear it. This applies to truckers, too.
Trucking schools teach proper right-turn technique. The Delmar Tractor-Trailer Driver Training Manual (page 193) covers the safe execution of right turns—specifically the buttonhook turn, which keeps the trailer close to the curb and avoids the dangerous swing-out method we saw displayed.
So, How Should a Truck Turn Right?
It’s simple: if there’s a car in the way, the truck must wait.
Trying to force a vehicle to reverse out of a truck’s path with hand signals or pressure is dangerous and completely inappropriate. No one should feel forced to put themselves in harm’s way to accommodate an unsafe turn. The car will get a green light eventually. Patience saves lives.
For those learning to drive tractor-trailers—or for anyone wanting to understand what a proper turn looks like—Schneider Trucking offers a clear method called The 5 S’s:
1. Set Up – Begin setting up the turn about 500 feet in advance. Stay 1–4 feet from the curb without crossing the center yellow line.
2. Signal – Activate your right-turn signal at least 100 feet from the intersection.
3. Slow Down – Reduce your speed to about 10 mph (or less) to safely execute the turn.
4. Survey – Carefully assess the intersection. Are there signs, blocked lanes, or cars in your path?
5. Steer – Use a hand-over-hand method, keep the trailer tight to the curb, and never initiate the turn if a car is in your intended path.
Link to Schneider’s video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fMnsFSHX04
At Childers & McCain, LLC, we handle personal injury cases, particularly those involving commercial trucking. Unsafe turns like the one displayed in that photo aren’t just bad driving habits. They’re violations of traffic law, and they put innocent people at risk. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident involving an improper turn, you may be entitled to compensation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and hold negligent drivers accountable. Call our Macon truck accident lawyers at 478-254-2007 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Macon, Georgia, we serve clients in Savannah, Albany, Atlanta, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbus, Crawford County, Oglethorpe, and Peach County.
Stay safe. Drive smart. And remember: a wide turn done the wrong way isn’t just wide—it’s wrong.
Facing the aftermath of a serious accident can be overwhelming. Before you speak with the insurance companies, make sure you schedule a free consultation with the Macon personal injury lawyers at Childers & McCain. We can protect your rights while anticipating the insurance company’s tactics to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve. You don’t have to navigate this tough road alone – let our team of professionals help you move forward.
