When making a wide turn, what should a CDL driver do?

When making a wide turn, a CDL driver should swing wide to the left before turning right. This maneuver is essential for safely navigating the turn, especially in large vehicles that require more space to maneuver. By swinging wide to the left, the driver ensures that the rear end of the vehicle has enough clearance to complete the turn without hitting any obstacles, such as pedestrians, curbside fixtures, or other vehicles. This technique helps to avoid collisions and maintains safety for both the driver and others on the road.

Other options, such as making the turn quickly or only looking straight ahead, can lead to unsafe conditions, as they do not account for the need to check surroundings or the specific requirements of larger vehicles during turns. Additionally, reducing speed to a minimum may not always be the best strategy, as it could affect vehicle stability and control. Thus, swinging wide to the left is the recommended and safest practice for making wide turns in a commercial vehicle.