18-wheeler accidents are the most devastating and deadly on the road. The speed, size, and weight of these vehicles can be catastrophic. While truck drivers have to do everything they can to prevent accidents, there are things passenger vehicle drivers can do to avoid these tragedies. Here are some tips to help you avoid it.
Sharing the Road with Semi Trucks
Just like we have to be aware of our interactions with bicyclists on the road, we have to be aware of our surroundings when driving near semi-trucks. These big rigs are a vital part of our economy, carrying goods and services that make our daily lives possible.
But they can be intimidating for other drivers to share the road with. Here are some tips to safely drive alongside semi-trucks.
Avoid Truck Blind Spots
One of the most important things you can do when driving near semi trucks is to stay out of their blind spots. Semi-trucks have larger mirrors to compensate for their bigger blind spots, but even with those mirrors, the blind spots are much bigger than in a passenger vehicle. To stay safe when driving near semi trucks you need to know where those blind spots are and how to avoid them.
A good way to get an idea of the size of a truck’s blind spots is to look at a vehicle diagram. The areas in red on the diagram are the blind spots where the truck driver can’t see you. For example, the truck driver has no idea if you are 10 feet behind the truck in its rear blind spot. So stay out of those areas whenever you can.
If you are in a truck’s blind spot, take action to get out of it as soon as you can. That means speed up or slow down to change lanes. The key is not to linger in the blind spot which increases the risk of a crash or serious accident. By knowing the size and location of semi trucks blind spots and taking steps to avoid them you can keep yourself and other drivers safe on the road.
Don’t Brake Sudden
Driving near semi trucks can be tough, especially when it comes to sudden stops. Car drivers need to be more careful when sharing the road with these big vehicles, they are hard to maneuver. To stay safe on the road follow some basic safety tips when driving near semi trucks.
One of the most important things to remember is that semi-trucks take much longer to stop than normal passenger vehicles. According to data, at 65 mph a normal passenger vehicle takes 300 feet to stop, a 40-ton 18-wheeler takes 600 feet. So if you’re driving behind a semi-truck and you brake suddenly, there’s a good chance the truck won’t be able to stop in time to avoid a crash.
To avoid an accident give semi trucks some extra space on the road. That way you’ll have room to stop if you need to. Don’t brake suddenly or cut in front of a semi-truck, that can cause the driver to lose control.
Pass Quickly
You’ll want to drive faster than a commercial truck on the highway. That means you’ll want to pass them. Passing commercial trucks is different.
When passing a commercial truck on the highway move through the truck driver’s blind spot quickly to avoid an accident. Wait until the lane is clear beyond the blind spots then accelerate. Also, be aware of the truck’s turn signals and don’t pass until the truck has completed its turn to avoid accidents.
Give Trucks Room to Turn
Sharing the road with commercial trucks on the highway requires caution, but it’s at stop lights where many accidents occur. When commercial trucks turn they often take long and awkward angles to make sure their trailers don’t hit anything. That can be frustrating for car drivers in a hurry but be patient and give the truck the extra space they need to turn safely.
Trying to shoot through an intersection while a truck is turning can be a serious accident, so always wait and let the truck driver complete his turn. Remember being patient and cautious can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe on the road.
Don’t Use High Beams
When driving around commercial trucks remember their cabs are much higher than a normal car. That means your high beams can be blinding to truck drivers.
While turning off your high beams around other drivers is always a good practice, it’s especially important to do so when you’re sharing the road with commercial trucks. Failing to do so can blind the truck driver and cause an accident if they can’t see the road ahead. Be considerate of other road drivers and always turn off your high beams when driving near commercial trucks.
Limit Distractions
When sharing the road with commercial trucks be mindful of distractions. While you can’t control how a commercial truck driver handles distractions, you can make sure you’re not adding to the problem by limiting your distractions. Research shows distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road.
By limiting your distractions such as putting your phone away, not eating or drinking, and focusing on the road ahead you’ll be better able to drive defensively and avoid accidents. While commercial truck drivers have to follow many regulations and laws to drive safely you also have a responsibility to drive safely and avoid distractions that can put you and other drivers in danger.
Passenger Vehicle Caused Truck Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 90% of accidents involving commercial trucks and passenger cars were caused by the car driver. That means it’s up to car drivers to take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents with big trucks.
While truck drivers are responsible for following all regulations and doing their best to prevent accidents it takes cooperation from all drivers on the road to avoid crashes. That includes staying out of blind spots, not making sudden stops, and being patient at intersections. By being aware of the risks and doing everything you can to avoid them you can keep yourself and others safe on the road.
One example of what can happen when you don’t take these precautions is the tanker crash and fire that closed southbound I-15 in Salt Lake City in 2019. A Honda Civic swerved across all lanes of traffic and hit the tanker. 7,000 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel ignited and spilled onto the road and the flames were so tall they scorched the highway. The drivers survived in this case but not everyone is so lucky. It’s better not to take the risk.
Truck Safety at ShipEX
At ShipEX we value safety. No load is worth a life and all of our drivers take that seriously. We know the importance of following safety regulations and protocols to minimize the risk of accidents on the road. We can’t prevent all accidents but we do everything we can to protect our drivers and other motorists.
If you are interested in driving with a company that values you, Join our team at ShipEX.
