Driving: "Opaque" Vehicles

By this, I mean vehicles you can't see through, around, or over. For those in a car or on a motorcycle (or bicycle, but this page is intended for motor vehicles), this usually means such things as vans, SUVs, pickups, bigger trucks... and cars with tinted windows. If you are driving a tall vehicle, you may be able to see over or through some of these, so for you they don't count as such. You get the idea....

• Avoid driving behind opaque vehicles. See "Look ahead", under "Distance". Obviously, you can't look ahead, if you can't see through what's right in front of you!

• Use shadows and reflections to stay aware anyway. Even if you're stuck driving behind an opaque vehicle, you may be able to get some sense of what's ahead of him, by looking at the shadows the vehicles cast on the road ahead or on other vehicles, if the sun (or some other strong light) is at an appropriate position. If you pass buildings that are close to the street, you may be able to get some clues from reflections in their windows, especially the big glass windows of downtown storefronts.

• If your vehicle is opaque, be extra considerate of those behind you! By putting such a handicap on the other drivers, it becomes your duty to smooth out the ride. Especially, when it's your turn to go then go, signal all movements out of the lane, don't stomp on your brakes unnecessarily, don't swerve suddenly, etc.