Road Safety Tips: How To Avoid The Most Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
More fatalities happen in road accidents involving trucks or any other large vehicles on highway roads. According to experts, the majority of them are due to driver error and could have been prevented. No one can know when they will be involved in a car accident, but staying alert and prepared can make a life-dependent difference in the event it does happen. Trucks and other large vehicles can be difficult to maneuver, so knowing what to avoid is helpful for any driver on the road.
Identify the cause(s)
Driver error accounts for over 68% of large-truck crashes every year which makes it the leading cause among these accidents. To be able to prevent an accident involving a truck, it is important to know about the factors that contribute to this kind of crash. First of all, you must protect yourself and learn about your rights on the road, so make sure you have a legal representative at hand at all times. If you or a family member experienced a truck-related accident, your lawyer should be experienced with personal injury law in trucking accidents.
Preventing driver error can be hard, and if you are not an experienced driver, even dangerous as it can distract you from the road. Unfortunately, it is not possible to check if a truck driver is sleep-deprived or even sick since you and they are both on the road driving vehicles. But there are some tell-tail signs and traffic communication you can use to determine whether or not the driver may need assistance, or you should call 911 if they are breaking the law. Keep in mind that in case you do not feel safe doing more than one activity while driving, find a safe space to pull over and stop your car before you make the call.
Distracted driving
A truck driver’s job is very demanding and requires the driver to deal with traffic, road conditions, and other drivers. This can be overwhelming for some so they may find themselves looking away from the road too often or distracted by their mobile phones which could cause them to lose control of their large vehicle. Texting and talking on the phone while driving is hazardous as it increases the risk of an accident dramatically.
Speeding
Excessive speed or driving over the posted speed limit is still one of the most frequent causes of truck collisions. Speeding does not just include exceeding the maximum allowed speed but also traveling at a speed that does not allow you to react appropriately in time if something unexpected happens on the road. When a trucker speeds, they put everyone else at risk because their slower reactions could result in a collision.
Fatigue
Most truck drivers work long hours already, driving the same roads over and over again. When a driver is tired or exhausted they can easily become disoriented or even fall asleep which has had dire consequences in some cases. Truck drivers need to take a break especially when they have been on the road for a long time. A good rule of thumb is to always pull over and rest if you feel tired or sleepy while driving.
What can you do?
As we already mentioned, there are a few things you can do to try and prevent these types of accidents from happening. All drivers must be responsible for keeping themselves and others safe from any accidents on the road.
Pay attention
Start by staying alert whenever you are on the road, and pay special attention when you see trucks in front of you. If you see that a driver is about to make an illegal U-turn or do some other type of dangerous maneuver, stay alert and don’t be afraid to honk your horn or call 911 for help. This will hopefully stop the person from hurting others on the road while also preventing yourself from getting into an accident with them.
Maintain your distance
When you’re driving behind a truck, maintain enough distance so that you can avoid any accidents with the truck in front. This means not tailgating them and making sure they will always be visible on your side of the road while driving behind them. Some trucks need more space than others, so watch their turn signals and slow down when necessary to maintain a safe distance from one another. If there is not enough room to pass, let them know you’re behind them by activating your emergency lights.
Helping other drivers out
You can’t always rely on trucks to move over while driving next to a large vehicle that’s going the same speed as you are. This is where you should help other drivers out. If a truck needs to change lanes or get ahead of you, let them know by flashing your lights or turning on your emergency flashers. This is a signal that they can trust and will show that you are trying to help them out.
Truck accidents are one of the most common types of car accidents, but they can easily be avoided. If you want to avoid a truck accident, make sure that you’re paying attention and not distracted by your phone while driving. Maintain enough distance from the truck in front so if there is an emergency on the road, you’ll be able to react appropriately without colliding with them or getting too close. In the event you do experience a truck-related accident, make sure to contact your lawyer as soon as possible.
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