How to remain safe when driving around 18-wheelers

On Behalf of | Nov 10, 2020 | Commercial Trucking Accidents

You may have taken a road trip around New Mexico recently and noticed that there are more truck drivers on the road than ever before. This is largely due to consumer shopping having increased, and shipping from place A to B requires these massive titans of the road. Although they are certainly a scary thing to drive by, large trucks are very much an essential part of our lives and economy. The following includes a few tips on how to stay safe when driving along with them on the road.

Remain off their blind spots

Although 18-wheelers have large rear-view mirrors attached to them, these mirrors are simply not enough for the driver to look at every side of their truck. When a truck begins to signal that it is about to turn, you should take all possible action to remove yourself from its blind spots. The blind spots of a truck may differ depending on size, but they are usually found at the back and near the truck’s back wheels, not the cargo trailer.

Pass them safely and quickly

Large commercial trucks tend to go a lot slower than a smaller vehicle. Understandably, people would like to pass them in order to get to their destination faster. However, it is people being impatient that tends to lead to a motor vehicle accident occurring. When you do arrive at a passing lane, you must put your signal on to begin the passing process. You must also get ahead to the point where you see the driver before merging into their lane.

Be attentive

Although some drivers might protest, the fact is that you have way more options at your disposal than a trucker when driving on the road. Your car is much easier to stop and has fewer blind spots. Simply stay attentive to what’s going on around you and act appropriately.

In the event that you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it may be helpful to seek the guidance of an attorney. The trucking company might want to place the fault on you, so legal representation may be necessary.

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Nathan A. Cobb