Smart Driving Tips to Avoid Truck Accidents While Traveling

The trucking industry plays a major role in America's economy, helping to support 80% of the nation's communities and hauling endless loads of freight back and forth across the land. We rely on truckers and trucking companies all the time and benefit from their services in a lot of different ways as well.

Smart Driving Tips to Avoid Truck Accidents While Traveling
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However, when it comes to actually dealing with trucks out on the road, these huge and heavy vehicles can actually cause a lot of drama and distress for many drivers. A lot of people have a hard time when it comes to driving around or near trucks, and there are a lot of accidents involving trucks that occur each and every year.

It's not surprising that trucks can be involved in so many accidents, as they're massive vehicles that require a lot of skill to keep under control, and they also have lots of blind spots, causing many problems for truckers themselves and any drivers trying to get past a truck on the highway. This guide will go over some tips to help you drive safely around trucks and reduce your risk of accidents.

Slow and Steady

One of the biggest factors contributing to truck rollover accidents and other forms of truck-related accidents is an excess of speed; too many drivers fail to acknowledge speed limits and feel like they can simply speed past trucks whenever they see them, but this is a very risky move that can put both you and the truck driver in danger.

The faster you go, the harder it is to slow down, stop, and react to changing road conditions, and this can be particularly risky when driving near trucks, as they're such huge vehicles that it takes a lot of time for them to change speed or position. Always try to stick to the speed limit and maintain a steady pace as you pass trucks so that you're ready to slow down or react if any hazards appear.

Avoid Blind Spots

We've already briefly mentioned the fact that trucks have a huge amount of blind spots, and many people don't realize just how hard it can be for truckers to try and remain aware of their surroundings at all times, as they aren't able to see every part around the back and sides of their vehicles, and even the area directly in front of them can be obscured too.

You need to be aware of the blind spots that trucks have and do your best to avoid them. You might have to drive through these blind spots now and then while passing a truck or coming up behind one, but it's wise to steer clear of them as much as you can and try to keep your car visible at all times so that the truck driver doesn't accidentally try to turn or change lanes while you're passing them.

Show Respect and Understanding

Trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs in the US right now. Even with recent advancements in security for trucks and their drivers, this line of work is still a huge challenge for the people involved in it. They have to deal with long hours, along with a lot of physical and mental pressure, and they also regularly have to face other road users who fail to show care and consideration when driving near them.

Too many drivers of cars and other vehicles simply try and speed past trucks whenever they see them, and this can lead to accidents happening, as explained above.  A lot of people also make common mistakes like tailgating trucks or cutting them off, as they're only worried about getting to their destination faster, rather than thinking of the challenges faced by the trucker.

You can help to make roads safer and better by simply showing respect to truckers, taking your time if you need to get past them, keeping your distance, and giving the trucker room to maneuver, as well as keeping an eye on the surrounding road conditions and making the right decisions, not just to help yourself get ahead, but also to avoid creating any unnecessary dangerous situations.

Truck accidents can be terrible for all involved, and so many of those that occur each year could have been avoided if only the drivers involved had shown some more patience, understanding, and respect for one another. By following the tips above, you can help to reduce your own risks of truck accidents and set a good example for other drivers to follow.