In 2020, almost 5,000 people died in accidents involving large commercial trucks. Certain elements of large trucks make them more dangerous to share the road with than other vehicles, some of which are unavoidable and unpredictable. However, when you are cautious of your surroundings and prepared for danger, you can eliminate some of the risk associated with sharing the road with commercial trucks.
This may seem obvious; however, many people lose focus when driving, overlooking the fact that there is a large commercial truck near them. When sharing the road with these vehicles, it is extra important to be aware of them and not spend a significant amount of time close to the truck. This can help avoid not only truck blind spot accidents, but also prevent damage from pieces of the truck (i.e., tire chunks) hitting your vehicle.
When passing a truck, be sure to pass quickly and with caution while paying attention to your surroundings, and only when it is necessary. If you need to pass an 18-wheeler, only do so on the left side. Avoid lingering on the side of a truck due to their large blind spots.
When coming to a halt, it is critical that you give the truck driver enough of a warning to stop behind you because it takes a greater amount of time for a semi-truck to completely stop in comparison to a smaller vehicle.
Turning on your high beams when passing or driving behind a heavy commercial truck can blind the truck driver temporarily, which can lead to serious accidents.
Distractions like texting, eating, reaching for items, etc., should never occur when driving, especially not when sharing the road with large trucks. Such careless behaviors create unnecessary risks for both you and the truck driver, as well as everyone else on the road. Staying alert and avoiding all distractions is vital to staying safe while on the road.
Driving comes with many general risks. When operating commercial vehicles, the size of these trucks poses an extra challenge, so when sharing the road with them, it is crucial to be extremely aware of your surroundings and follow the tips listed above. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a truck accident, contact Marcus & Mack to speak with a skilled attorney as soon as possible.
Marcus & Mack
