Big Truck, Big Rules: How to Stay Smart Around Delivery Trucks 

(Real Laws, Real Talk, No Excuses)

Ever seen a 5-ton delivery truck cruising down the road and thought, "It’s just a big van, no big deal"?  That’s how accidents — and a lot of paperwork — happen.

At Calumet Lumber, we know a thing or two about big trucks. We've been hauling heavy-duty industrial construction supplies, custom doors, and mountains of lumber since 1906. Our drivers aren’t just steering massive loads — they’re steering the materials that keep jobsites running on time.

So, whether it’s one of our Calumet delivery trucks rolling through a jobsite or any other truck on the highway, here’s what you need to know to stay smart, stay safe, and stay out of the "bad decisions" category — backed by Federal and Indiana guidelines.

Lesson 1: If You Can't See Their Mirrors, You're Off the Radar

Big trucks have blind spots that could hide a parade.
If you can't see the driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you. That’s not just bad positioning; it’s asking for trouble. Pass quickly. Stay visible. Sitting next to a truck like you’re enjoying the scenery isn’t just annoying — it’s risky and illegal in many situations.

Lesson 2: Cutting Off a Truck? Not Your Best Idea

Thomas, Judith and Donald

A fully loaded delivery truck doesn’t stop on a dime — it stops on a football field.
Indiana law says to leave at least a two- to three-second gap behind any vehicle, but with trucks, you need four to five seconds, minimum.
Federal safety rules back it up: one second per 10 feet of truck length, and another second if you’re over 40 mph.

At Calumet Lumber, our trucks often carry thousands of pounds of custom door assemblies, bulk lumber, and industrial supplies. If you think your SUV can outmaneuver that much momentum, you’re gambling... and you're going to lose. Give them space. EVERY TIME.

Lesson 3: Trucks Turn Like They Own the Road (Because Physically, They Do)

Delivery trucks need extra room to turn — especially right turns.
They might swing wide or even veer into another lane first to make it happen.
Indiana law says very clearly: do not squeeze between a turning truck and the curb. It’s not a shortcut; it’s a collision waiting to happen.

If a truck is turning, back off and let it finish. Trust us: nobody delivering custom industrial materials wants to be stuck filling out accident reports when they could be delivering your next project instead.

Lesson 4: Big Doesn’t Mean Slow

Modern delivery trucks — including ours — are designed to move.
When passing, always use the left lane and move quickly and cleanly.
Passing on the right is dangerous and illegal. Passing over solid yellow lines or in blind curves isn’t just reckless — it could cost you your license.

If you commit to passing, do it with purpose.
Half-hearted passing creates confusion, and confusion leads to flashing lights you don’t want in your rearview.

Lesson 5: Trucks + Weather = Extra Caution

Bad weather doesn’t just slow trucks down; it multiplies the risks.
Stopping distances stretch out. Maneuverability drops. Visibility shrinks.

And let’s be honest — this is Indiana.
We can experience all four seasons in a 12-hour stretch without warning.
You might leave the house under sunny skies, hit a blizzard by lunch, and be dodging thunderstorms by dinner. Our Calumet drivers know it firsthand — and they plan for it every single day. When the weather shifts (and it will), double your following distance. Rain, snow, fog, sideways winds — it all impacts a 5-ton truck’s ability to brake and steer. If you’re feeling impatient, remember: no amount of tailgating will make 12,000 pounds of construction materials stop faster. It’ll just make you the star of a traffic jam.

Stay sharp. Stay flexible. Assume the weather — and the trucks — are doing their best. Give them the space they need to handle it safely.

Work Zone Smarts: Where Paying Attention Really Matters

If you think driving around trucks is serious, try doing it in a work zone. Now you've got cones, narrow lanes, lane shifts, flaggers, workers — and trucks that already need more space than normal.

And let’s not forget Indiana’s wild weather swings. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s a snowstorm, and by the time you hit the work zone, it could be 40mph winds or tornado warnings. All in the span of a few hours. Just another Tuesday in the Hoosier state.

But here's the real kicker: Everyone working in that zone has a family they want to go home to at the end of the day. It's not just about avoiding fines — it’s about ensuring that the people in those zones are safe so they can see their kids, spouses, and loved ones every night.

Here’s the straight talk:

Slow Down

Work zones aren’t suggestions. Speed limits are lower for a reason, and in Indiana, fines for speeding in work zones are doubled, whether workers are present or not. That’s right — double the fines.

Now, we know this state is famous for the Indianapolis 500, but we’re not racing on the streets. Take it slow. Watch for sudden stops.
Our Calumet trucks might be delivering materials right into those tight spaces, and they need you focused and predictable, not rushing and reckless. Add in Indiana's unpredictable weather — from random snowflakes to surprise tornadoes — and it’s clear: your patience is key for everyone’s safety.

Stay in Your Lane

Work zones don’t leave room for improvisation. Temporary lanes are narrow, poorly marked, and have zero forgiveness for wandering tires. With Indiana’s famous high winds, sudden downpours, or tornado warnings, the last thing anyone needs is a driver who thinks it's okay to swerve. Keep it steady.

Hold your lane. Stay predictable.
Trucks need all the space they’re given — sometimes more — to safely navigate those tight worksite access points. And just in case the weather’s giving everyone a hard time, and remember, high winds don’t make work zones any easier to navigate.

Pay Full Attention

Phone down. Music low. Eyes up.  Work zones change daily, sometimes hourly. Cones shift. Workers cross. Signs move.  Indiana’s weather — unpredictable as ever — only adds to the chaos.  If you’re distracted, you’re just asking for trouble. Trucks are already dealing with enough, trying to avoid weather hazards and safely deliver materials. The workers on-site are just trying to get through the day in one piece. Let’s not make their job harder — and don’t forget, any violation in a work zone gets you double the hefty fines.

Top 5 Rules for Sharing the Road with Delivery Trucks

(Because Indiana’s Weather Isn’t the Only Thing That Can Be Unpredictable)

1. If You Can’t See Their Mirrors, You're Off the Radar
And not in a cool spy way. Trucks have blind spots that could hide an entire parade. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you — and you’re about to become a surprise to them, which is never a good thing. Tip: Indiana’s roads have seen their fair share of history — from the National Road (the first federally funded highway in the U.S.) to the Cannonball Run that started in Indianapolis. Respect the road like you respect Indiana’s legacy. Just don’t pull a “ghost car” move by lurking in a truck’s blind spot.

2. Cutting Off a Truck? Not Your Best Idea
A fully loaded delivery truck, whether it’s carrying lumber from Calumet Lumber or industrial supplies, doesn’t stop on a dime. It needs way more space than your compact car. In Indiana, our weather changes faster than you can say “Indiana’s unpredictable!” One second, it's sunny, the next it’s snowing — cutting off a truck when the weather’s shifting could lead to more than a fender-bender. It could lead to you needing a tow.

3. Trucks Turn Like They Own the Road (Because They Do)
Trucks need extra space when they turn — especially when it’s tight and the weather’s working against them. Just like the Indianapolis 500 drivers take wide turns to avoid crashing into the wall, trucks need room to move safely.  Don’t squeeze in next to them thinking you’ll “sneak by” in their blind spot — especially when a surprise Indiana thunderstorm rolls in. That’s how accidents happen — quickly, and unpredictably, just like our weather.

4. Pass Like You Mean It
Hesitating halfway through a pass on a truck is like running a mini version of the Indy 500, but without the cool helmet. Trucks are big. You’re small. When passing, get in and get out quickly, like you’re racing a tornado warning down the highway.  And for the record, it’s not just about the weather. Indiana’s roads have been hosting road races and barrel-racing tractors for decades, but that doesn’t mean you should be racing with trucks. Pass clean, then get back in your lane and stay safe.

5. Work Zones: Where Trucks and Patience are Both in Short Supply
Work zones are no place to try to beat a truck to the finish line. These zones are tricky to navigate on a good day. Add in Indiana’s crazy weather (one minute it's 85°F and sunny, the next it's sleeting), and work zones turn into a full-blown challenge.  Slow down. Stay alert. Keep your distance. Remember: everyone working in a zone has a family they want to get home to. The Indianapolis 500 taught us how to go fast — but on these roads? Slow and steady wins the race. And the hefty fines for speeding are the last thing you want to deal with when the weather’s already throwing a tantrum.

Bonus Tip: When in doubt, assume the truck wins. Because much like Indiana weather, it’s going to surprise you every time.

Bottom Line

Delivery trucks and work zones demand respect, not frustration.  Give trucks space. Pass them cleanly. Respect work zones like your project deadline depends on it — because guess what? It does.

At Calumet Lumber, we take pride in delivering the materials that build and maintain Indiana’s industries — safely, reliably, and with over 100 years of experience behind every load. Whether it’s through sleet, snow, high winds, or the occasional tornado, we get it done — safely and on time.

Remember: Everyone in a work zone has a family they want to go home to. Drive smarter. Drive safer.