Do you often feel nervous when driving near trucks on the highway? It’s easy to see why. They’re large, loud and overbearing, and when you’re traveling at speed and you need to maneuver around them, they can be utterly terrifying.
Sadly, motorists who become involved in accidents with trucks are often the ones who come off worse. If you’ve been in a road accident with a truck, call a local truck accident lawyer based in Columbus as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are ways you can avoid a collision with a truck and increase your confidence when having to move around them. Read on to discover some helpful tips for sharing the road with trucks.
Be prepared to reduce your speed
Is there a truck that’s trying to overtake you? Don’t be tempted to speed up, you should be slowing down instead. When you reduce your speed, you’re making it much easier for the truck to pass you quickly and safely, making the road a little safer for everyone.
Leave plenty of space around the truck
Trucks have plenty of blind spots, and if you pull up too close behind a truck then they won’t be able to see you. If the truck needs to reverse or complete another maneuver, then they’ll have no idea that you’ve pulled up behind them in your little car. Always leave additional space between you and the truck in front of you. Remember, if you can see their wing mirrors, then they should be able to see you.
Don’t allow yourself to be distracted
Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous. Using your phone, eating and drinking, talking with your passengers and even adjusting the air-con or heating controls are all common yet incredibly dangerous ways we find ourselves distracted behind the wheel. You should always give the road ahead your full and undivided attention, and when you’re sharing the road with an 18-wheeler, you should be extra cautious and focused. It’s the best way to avoid a collision.
Pass safely
If you need to pass a truck, then you need to do so safely. Making a sudden decision to cut across lanes or deciding to speed up frantically to pass one so you don’t miss the turnoff is putting you and other road users in danger. Make sure the truck can see you in their wing mirrors before you signal clearly. Maintain a good speed and remain calm. Avoid cutting in front of them too sharply and wait until there is a safe distance between you. If you can see the driver in your rear-view mirror, pull in front of them slowly. Always give a truck as much room as possible.
Be patient
Highways are much faster than traditional roads and waiting for a truck to build up speed can be frustrating for those stuck behind it. If you want to avoid a collision with a truck you need to remain calm and be patient. Allowing your frustrations to cloud your judgment could mean making a dangerous and fatal mistake. Driving aggressively is a criminal offense!
Final thoughts…
When sharing the road with trucks and 18-wheelers, always maintain a good speed, keep your distance and always be patient! It could save your life.
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