When you hit the road, you need to remain cognizant of other drivers the entire time. After all, their actions can directly impact your safety. This is why so many people put an emphasis on driving safely around trucks in particular.
What about trucks make them so dangerous to share the road with? And what are the biggest of these potential dangers that you may face?
Why are trucks dangerous?
The Roadway Safety Foundation discusses ways of safely sharing the road with trucks. Dealing with trucks, in general, is often risky simply due to their size and weight. A large truck is easily 70 to 80 feet in length. Meanwhile, it may weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 pounds) if it is within the legal weight limits.
In other words, if a truck gets into a crash with a regular passenger vehicle, it has the advantage in both size and weight. A trucker is much less likely to leave a crash injured than the driver of a passenger vehicle that gets involved.
How can you avoid these dangers?
This risk means that driving alongside a truck poses a danger to other drivers. You should never drive alongside a truck for an extended period of time. If you need to pass, do so quickly and safely. You should also keep your distance from behind. If a truck stops suddenly, your car can easily end up under the trailer. Keep an eye out for trucks behind you, too. They need more warning before coming to a stop, so you cannot stop on a dime and expect them to react quickly.
By keeping these things in mind, you can improve your safety around trucks on the road.
