While there are many crashes involving large trucks every day in the United States, some areas experience more accidents than others. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that one of the highest states for large truck occupant fatalities in 2015 was California with 31 deaths. Across the state, there were 296 deaths in large truck accidents, meaning less than 10 percent of deaths were drivers and passengers in the trucks and over 90 percent of victims were occupants of the other vehicles involved. There are several things drivers can do to decrease these numbers.
One of the main differences between passenger vehicles and large trucks is the increase in blind spots, also called “no zones.” Esurance.com states that blind spots can be blamed for one-third of crashes involving large trucks. The reason for this is that these drivers cannot see several portions of the road around their truck. Other drivers need to remember that if they are not able to see the driver’s face, then they are not seen and in danger of being hit.
Bigger vehicles also need more time to slow down, start up and change direction, which means it is important to allow extra space for any maneuvers around them. When changing lanes, be sure to signal the move early to give large truck drivers time to prepare. Do not cut them off and do not cause them to swerve. It can take these drivers twice as long to stop as operators of smaller vehicles, meaning crashes are likely if they are not given enough space.
Truck drivers also require more room when turning. They may need to swing wide in the opposite direction when making a right turn, confusing other drivers about which way they are going. This is also a problem when passenger vehicles attempt to squeeze by and make a right turn and become trapped in the large truck’s blind spot. By avoiding situations like these, drivers can reduce large truck accidents and make the roads a safer place.
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