Helpful Tips for Driving Safely Around Trucks in the USA
The trucking industry is a really big part of the American economy and way of life, with trucks helping to support more than 80% of the nation's communities and being responsible for transporting countless tons of freight across the country each and every day. Without trucks and the people driving them, life would clearly be very different.
So it's clear that we have much to be thankful for when it comes to trucks and truckers, but it's also fair to say that these massive vehicles pose some challenges for other road users. Trucks are huge and heavy, and they can cause a lot of damage if they get involved in crashes and collisions on freeways and other roads.
It doesn't matter whether you're trying to get past a tractor-trailer, avoid the blind spots of an 18-wheeler, or keep your distance from a food delivery truck, you need to be very careful when driving near these kinds of vehicles. This guide will offer some assistance, covering some useful tips to help drivers of smaller vehicles stay safe when trucks are nearby.
Have Respect for Truckers
Truck drivers don't have it easy. While driving trucks might seem simple to some observers, trucking is actually one of the most dangerous and one of the most stressful jobs around. Truckers are routinely tasked with driving long distances, for long periods of time, with minimal opportunities to rest.
They have to control enormous vehicles, doing their best to get safely and efficiently to their destinations, all while dealing with other road users. So one good way to approach these vehicles is simply to have respect for the hard work truckers do, staying patient and giving them space to maneuver, rather than simply rushing past them and only thinking about your own journey.
Know the Blind Spots and Stay Out of Them
One of the biggest problems with trucks, for both truck drivers themselves and other drivers around them, is that they have a lot of blind spots. It can be very difficult for truckers to know exactly what's going on around their vehicles because they simply can't see certain areas. This means that they have to check their mirrors many times and hope that other drivers are being careful and cautious before making turns or changing lanes.
Truckers play their part in this process, but other road users also have a part to play by trying to stay out of the blind spots as much as possible. You can find online guides and diagrams that show you exactly where a truck's blind spots are. Then, you can use that knowledge to help you avoid those spots in the future. Of course, you may have to drive through a blind spot now and then while passing a truck or turning near one, but it's recommended to avoid these spots as much as possible.
Don't Forget the Fundamentals
When it comes to safe driving, there are some simple, fundamental rules that everyone learns in their early driving lessons, and it's important to never forget these fundamentals. They include things like checking your mirrors before making a turn, sticking to the speed limit, obeying stop signs, and using your turn signals to let other road users know your intentions.
Too often, drivers get into bad habits and forget these core principles of safe driving. Some drivers don't take the time to check their side mirrors, for example, while others rarely use signals. It's so important to avoid these kinds of bad habits, especially when driving near trucks, as mirrors, signals, lights, and rules all exist to keep you safe on the road and help other drivers avoid accidents with you too.
Choose the Right Option
Driving safely is often about making the right decision. Conversely, accidents tend to be much more likely to happen when people make the wrong decisions. If you're approaching a set of traffic lights that have been green for a while, for example, you can choose to slow down a little in case the lights change, or speed up to make sure you pass through them. One choice helps you stay safer, while the other could put you in a more dangerous position.
Making good choices on the roads is particularly important when trucks are around. As stated several times throughout this guide, trucks are huge, heavy vehicles that can be hard to control. Truckers need the help of other drivers around them to make smart choices and reduce the risks they have to deal with. So, when faced with a decision on the road, try to choose the smarter, safer option, slowing down a little if necessary or having a little more patience to make the road safer for all.
Keep Your Hands on the Wheel and Your Eyes on the Road
One of the biggest problems on American roads at the moment is the distracted driving crisis. Statistics show that the number of accidents linked to distractions has been hitting an all-time high in recent years, with distracted driving causing thousands of unnecessary deaths and terrible numbers of injuries each and every year, all because some drivers don't want to pull over or wait a while to check their phones or adjust the GPS.
There are many distractions out there, from big billboards beside the freeway to gadgets and devices in your car, but you have to make the necessary efforts and do what you can to avoid these distractions, especially when trucks are in the area. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes focused on the road ahead, putting all of your concentration into driving safely and respecting other road users, rather than letting your focus slip to answer a text or look at something else.
Final Word
Driving around trucks can be a scary and stressful experience, but if you have the right approach, you shouldn't have too much to worry about. It's all about treating the trucks with respect, acknowledging the damage that such a big vehicle could do, and making sure to do your best to avoid creating any kind of dangerous situation for yourself and the truck driver.