Many accidents are caused by improper lane changes. Turn signal should be turned on at least eight-seconds before attempting to make a lane change but only when it is safe to do so.
Most truckers are well-trained and alert drivers; however, driving long distances can make drivers weary and less focused on driving duties. Other drivers should use caution when approaching and passing a large truck. making sure the truck is not veering into their lane.
For non-commercial drivers, one of the biggest challenges on the road is reading and responding to the movements of commercial trucks.
While professional drivers are trained to read the road around them, their vehicles have limited mobility compare to passenger cars, and as such, it is important for every driver to do their part to help make the road safe when driving near commercial trucks—especially on local freeways, where high speed accidents can pose a special danger.
Tailgating, or following too closely behind another vehicle, is a common cause of rear-end collisions between passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks.
The reason for these collisions is because the height of a commercial truck often prevents the car’s driver from seeing potential hazards that might be coming up in front of the truck causing the truck to stop suddenly. This tailgating risk often results in a rear-end collision.
Another major factor causing collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles that many people will underestimate the time it takes trucks to accelerate or to change lanes.
This factor is especially true if freeway traffic is at normal speed and the truck is maneuvering from an on-ramp and trying to merge into freeway traffic. It’s important to give trucks ample room and time to merge into traffic lanes.
The physics of a truck’s design requires them to make wide turns while on city streets. When a truck is making a right turn, they may need to use up two lanes in order to complete the turn.
A Dallas car accident lawyer recommends that if you see a truck attempting to make a turn, do not attempt to drive into the open lane, this will prevent a blind-spot collision with the truck.
There’s no way for even the most cautious drivers to prevent every accident on the road, but being vigilant sure helps to minimize them. It is important for every driver to understand the differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, and the ways those differences can lead to potential accidents. With this information, driving around commercial trucks will be much safer.