Road Safety Tips for Everyday Car Drivers and Truck Drivers

Most passenger car drivers have experienced that moment of panic when they feel like the tractor-trailer next to them is getting just a little too close. The massiveness of the trucks makes many drivers nervous. While there is no need to be afraid of driving near big rigs, there is a reason to pay attention and use caution. There are 11 million trucks on the road and, in 2009, big trucks were involved in almost 300,000 crashes.

Due to this fact, it is crucial that all drivers work together to keep everyone on the road safe. There are many factors that contribute to the large number of crashes that trucks are involved in. Some of these factors are outside of a driver’s control. They include things like poor weather condition or poor road conditions. Heavy rain and snow can reduce visibility and increase stopping time making crashes more likely to occur.

Other times crashes are caused by things within the driver’s control, and this includes both truck drivers and drivers of passenger cars. These contributing factors include things like drivers being distracted by cell phones or other devices and driving aggressively. All drivers would benefit from following the suggestions outlined in this infographic by Tenge Law which would help reduce the number of crashes involving trucks each year. With more than 3,000 deaths and over 70,000 injuries resulting crashes involving heavy trucks, this is an important goal to work towards.

Road Safety Tips

If you are driving a passenger vehicle near a tractor-trailer, there are some important rules that you need to follow in order to keep yourself and those around you safe. Large trucks have many blind spots that can be dangerous for surrounding cars. When driving a passenger vehicle, it is important to be aware of making sure that a truck driver is able to see you and your vehicle. Always use your signals well in advance of changing lanes and leave plenty of room in the lane before moving in front of a truck. Using the diagram on the infographic will help you stay aware of how you should be driving when near a tractor-trailer or other large vehicle.

If you are driving a tractor-trailer, you have the responsibility of driving in a way that helps to protect the drivers that are around you. There are many regulations set in the industry for best driving practices and how to properly maintain your truck. Proper maintenance helps to reduce the risk that a mechanical failure in your truck causes a crash. Regularly checking your tires, wheel hubs and brakes are critical to your ability to drive safely. Using safe practices such as making frequent stops, pulling over when your eyes are tired and exercising a high level of caution when driving in extreme weather conditions will help you to avoid causing a crash.

With over 253 million vehicles on the road on any given day it is important that truck drivers and passenger car drivers work together to maintain the safety of everyone.