Avoid Unsafe Driving Near Semi-Trucks and Tractor Trailers
Accidents with semi-trucks and tractor trailers are especially dangerous because of the weight and momentum of these larger vehicles and the loads they carry.
Some of the special risks that motorists encounter when driving near large trucks include:
Driving in the No-Zones - the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility.
Changing lanes quickly in front of a truck.
Maneuvering to the right of a truck that is making a right turn.
Misjudging an approaching trucks speed at an intersection, and making a left turn in front of the truck.
Merging into traffic too quickly and forcing a truck driver to try to brake quickly or swerve out of the way.
Failing to slow down or speed up to allow enough space when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
Under-estimating the force of air turbulence or crosswind.
Driving between tractor-trailer trucks.
Failing to get a disabled vehicle completely off the highway and onto the shoulder or abandoning a vehicle in a travel lane.
Motorcycles are the most vulnerable on the road, and provide cyclists virtually no protection in a crash. When riding near large trucks, motorcyclists not only should avoid the dangers mentioned above, but also take the following safety measures:
Get your motorcycle license.
Wear protective gear all the time - gloves, boots, a jacket and a helmet manufactured to meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Don't exceed your riding skills.
Take refresher courses to improve your riding skills.
Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before each ride.
In bad weather or at night, especially, watch your speed around trucks.
All motorists need to use extra care when changing lanes, merging, and maintaining adequate distance from semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Here are some more important steps that you can take on the road:
Stay out of a trucks blind spot. About 35 percent of all fatal accidents with large trucks occur in a blind spot, where cars and motorcycles temporarily disappear from the truck drivers view. To stay visible, try not to linger near large trucks. Instead, either move past or slow down to back off and get out of the trucks blind spot.
Keep your distance. Stay 20 car lengths behind a truck, so you have time to react to any changes in the road ahead, including debris or accidents. Keep the trucks mirrors in your sight at all times.
Never cut in front of a truck. Fully loaded trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football field to stop. Be sure to leave ample distance before pulling in front of a truck.
Only change lanes when you can see both of the trucks headlights in your rearview mirror.
Allow trucks adequate space to maneuver. At intersections, trucks often make wide turns and may use additional lanes, so give a turning truck plenty of space. - 21393
Some of the special risks that motorists encounter when driving near large trucks include:
Driving in the No-Zones - the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility.
Changing lanes quickly in front of a truck.
Maneuvering to the right of a truck that is making a right turn.
Misjudging an approaching trucks speed at an intersection, and making a left turn in front of the truck.
Merging into traffic too quickly and forcing a truck driver to try to brake quickly or swerve out of the way.
Failing to slow down or speed up to allow enough space when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
Under-estimating the force of air turbulence or crosswind.
Driving between tractor-trailer trucks.
Failing to get a disabled vehicle completely off the highway and onto the shoulder or abandoning a vehicle in a travel lane.
Motorcycles are the most vulnerable on the road, and provide cyclists virtually no protection in a crash. When riding near large trucks, motorcyclists not only should avoid the dangers mentioned above, but also take the following safety measures:
Get your motorcycle license.
Wear protective gear all the time - gloves, boots, a jacket and a helmet manufactured to meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Don't exceed your riding skills.
Take refresher courses to improve your riding skills.
Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before each ride.
In bad weather or at night, especially, watch your speed around trucks.
All motorists need to use extra care when changing lanes, merging, and maintaining adequate distance from semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Here are some more important steps that you can take on the road:
Stay out of a trucks blind spot. About 35 percent of all fatal accidents with large trucks occur in a blind spot, where cars and motorcycles temporarily disappear from the truck drivers view. To stay visible, try not to linger near large trucks. Instead, either move past or slow down to back off and get out of the trucks blind spot.
Keep your distance. Stay 20 car lengths behind a truck, so you have time to react to any changes in the road ahead, including debris or accidents. Keep the trucks mirrors in your sight at all times.
Never cut in front of a truck. Fully loaded trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and take the length of a football field to stop. Be sure to leave ample distance before pulling in front of a truck.
Only change lanes when you can see both of the trucks headlights in your rearview mirror.
Allow trucks adequate space to maneuver. At intersections, trucks often make wide turns and may use additional lanes, so give a turning truck plenty of space. - 21393
About the Author:
At the Bernstein Law Firm, our experienced semi-truck accident attorneys are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of Michigan semi-truck accident victims. If you or a loved one was injured in a semi-truck accident in Michigan, contact us to get a free confidential legal consultation today.
posted by X - Men @ 12:26 AM
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