Large semi trucks can be intimidating to drive around. Many drivers feel uneasy sharing highways and roads with 18-wheelers because of the chance of being involved in a potentially fatal truck accident.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did an extensive study on accidents involving large trucks and found that some of the main causes of truck accidents are problems with brakes and traffic interruptions, like construction zones.
Another significant factor in trucking accidents is other drivers. We often don’t realize that we make mistakes around trucks that can put us and them in dangerous situations. The most frequent mistakes include:
- Driving in “No Zones.” These no zones (or blind spots) are the areas where a trucker cannot see you. The main areas to avoid are right beside and directly behind the truck.
- Cutting a Truck Off. If you need to change lanes quickly or are merging onto a highway, the last thing you want to do is cut in front of a truck. They cannot simply “hit the brakes” to avoid hitting you.
- Turning in Front of a Truck. Making a left turn right in front of a truck can also be very dangerous for the same reason – a truck needs a lot of space and time to slow down.
Continue reading about how we can drive safer around large trucks:
Truck Accidents: Common Mistakes Made by Drivers Sharing the Road