A big rig, or semitruck, can be very dangerous on the road. You have to share the road with these vehicles at some point, but they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. With most cars clocking in well under 5,000 pounds, big rigs are just so massive that they cause a lot of damage if they’re involved in a crash.
There’s also an issue with blind spots. A driver in a big rig simultaneously has the most dangerous vehicle on the road and the one with some of the worst sight lines. This means that it’s important for drivers to know how to operate their vehicles safely around these large trucks. Here are a few tips that may help.
Don’t sit in the blind spots
If you’re on the interstate and driving next to a truck, don’t stay in any of the blind spots. Always look for the mirrors, and realize that the driver can’t see you if you can’t see them. Waiting in the blind spot is just a recipe for disaster because the driver probably has no idea you’re there.
Don’t cut them off
Trucks almost always leave extra large gaps between themselves and the vehicles ahead of them. Don’t assume that this gap is a safe space for you to merge into. If you cut a truck off right before a stop sign or stop light, for instance, it’s not going to have time to stop before it runs into the back of your vehicle.
Don’t tailgate
Even if the truck is going slower than you’d like to be going, do not tailgate that vehicle. The driver can’t see you anyway because this is one of the biggest blind spots that a truck has, and it just increases your odds of getting involved in an accident.
Be very careful when passing
Remember that it takes extra time to pass a big rig. Make sure that you have enough space. As noted above, they can’t slow down very quickly. If you get caught in that lane as opposing traffic gets closer, the truck isn’t going to be able to slow down and let you back in.
What if you still get injured?
All these safe driving tips can certainly help you avoid an accident, but there’s always the chance you could be injured, and then you need to know how to seek financial compensation.