Who doesn’t get a little edgy driving near a semi on the highway? More than 250,000 accidents between passenger cars and 18-wheelers happen each year – with auto drivers contributing to over 70% of the crashes. Many of these collisions could be avoided – and fears reduced – if car drivers knew how to share the road with trucks safely. Rules of the road Driving near and passing an 18-wheeler is different than sharing the road with a standard-sized vehicle. Since the truck is bigger:
Passing a truck When passing a truck, maintain a safe and steady speed, keeping the cab of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front of it. Pass on the left to maximize visibility and ensure there’s enough space between your car and the truck when you merge back over. Getting passed by a Truck If a truck attempts to pass you, reduce your speed slightly to make it easier for the truck to get around your vehicle. When a truck is backing up Never pass behind a truck preparing to back up or is backing up. Otherwise, you may enter a blind spot for you and the trucker. When a truck is making a wide turn When turning right, some trucks must first swing left to negotiate the turn. As a result, they can’t see cars directly behind or beside them, so cutting to the right of the turning truck can cause an accident. When you’re driving near a truck When driving near a truck, don’t use your bright headlights. The truck’s large side mirrors reflect brights into the driver’s eyes causing temporary blindness. Top unsafe driving habits The U.S. Department of Transportation ranked the most unsafe driving acts for car drivers to engage in when trucks are nearby:
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SPI Reflections BlogOur blog is about educating our customers and the public about important insurance information that we feel is meaningful. Archives
October 2019
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