Most RV accidents happen because the driver is unfamiliar with his coach or does not understand the rules of the road as they apply to large vehicle operation.

Keep Centered
This C-class motor home was riding the center line on a two lane road that was curving to the left. A truck towing a fifth-wheel trailer was coming in the opposite direction, riding the center line.

The C-class caught the fifth-wheel which was pushed sideways into the path of a small station wagon, totally wrecking the wagon, the fifth wheel trailer and the C-class motor home. This accident would never have happened if both drivers had been centered in their lanes.

Beware of Rear Swing-Out
The design of motor homes places a large percentage of the vehicle behind the rear wheels. The driver of this vehicle made a number of mistakes:

• He was not aware of the effects of rear swing-out
• He was not watching his mirrors
• He had not taken the time to assess all of the hazards surrounding his vehicle. Had the driver checked just one of the above, this accident could have been prevented.

Adjust and Watch the Mirrors
When making a turn in your motor home, it is necessary to always be aware of what is along side your coach.
There is only one way you can do this and that is by checking your properly adjusted convex mirrors as you make your turn.
If your mirrors are not properly adjusted, it is only a matter of time until you will hit something.

Leave a Space Cushion, Don't Follow Too Close
At 55 MPH your RV is traveling 64 feet per second.

To stop a vehicle you need to SEE-THINK-DO. Total stopping distance is the distance your vehicle will travel from the moment you SEE a hazard, THINK, decide to stop and DO, place your foot on the brake pedal until you stop. SEE-THINK takes about 3/4 of a second, DO takes another 3/4 of a second and if you have Air Brakes, add another 1/2 second for Air Brake Lag.

Do you understand why it's important to have a space cushion when driving a large vehicle and why you should sign up for RV Boot Camp?