What to Keep in Mind While Driving Near a Commercial Truck?
When you see a commercial vehicle in your rearview mirror, you may wonder if you are going to be involved in a collision. Semi-truck driver’s account for some of the worst traffic incidents.
As opposed to being intimidated by big vehicles, be suspicious. With the right precautions and a good driving skill, you can coordinate as commercial trucks are manageable on the open road. However, if any unintentional accidents occur, you need to get in touch with the accident attorney to file your lawsuit. Read this article to learn the tips that you can follow while driving. Remember, accidents do not come with prior notification. Hence, prevention is always better than cure. Let’s start with the tips now.
Be Alert of Big Blind Spots
As you drive your passenger vehicle, you're aware of the blind spots, changing lanes, and doing the merge, you have to be extra cautious about cutting off the vehicle traffic. One on each side so you can look over your shoulders before proceeding forward. It may also be on the back of your vehicle, directly behind it.
They all have blind spots except for the one in front of the truck. On average, a motorist will be able to conceal two vehicles on the left side and one in the rear. The right-side blind spot is much larger than the left-side one, but since it occupies multiple lanes, it's harder to see.
Don't linger too near the tractor-trailer for long periods of time. If you can, position your vehicle where the truckers' side mirrors are visible, then you have the ability to see the vehicle in their rearview mirrors.
Avoid Reverse Tailgating
To reverse tailgate, the driver, stay too close to their bumper, thus allowing them to stick to your tail.
Towing large vehicles in reverse is especially dangerous when towing the truck in reverse. Most commercial trucks struggle to stop at highway speeds. Truck weights make heavy vehicles brake longer, which causes longer stopping distances for vehicles travelling at the same rate. If you tailgated commercial vehicles, you'll be in trouble if you need to use the brakes suddenly. Avoid getting into the vehicle ahead of or behind the truck in heavy traffic.
Drive on the left; be Careful on the right
There are times when you must give way to commercial vehicles that are using the wrong lane or move to the slow lane, since they're travelling too slowly. When you make the decision to turn, be careful, but not fearful. When it comes to commercial trucks, it's important to be aware of large blind spots on the right side. To remain unseen while passing on the right will keep you in his blind spot, and give you a speed advantage. It has a smaller blind spot on the left, so it is safer.
Wide Turns on Right/Left
Wide-Right turners have very limited manoeuvrability. By attaching the trailer to the tractor at a hinge on the front, the trailer is able to turn only. It's important to have a generous turning radius in order to fit all the trucks in for this design.
The most problematic right turns are the ones that are made in the wider lanes. Large vehicles will commonly pull a trailer into the adjacent traffic as they turn. If your vehicle is there, you may be put yourself in danger. When you see a truck about to turn, stay out of its path. Without coming to a complete stop, the truck will have crushed your vehicle. Inspect the intersection before proceeding.
Contact The West Law Firm for credible accident attorney in Oklahoma. We serve in and around OKC and our lawyers how to fight and win the case.
** Disclaimer: The above article does not imply a relationship between attorney and client, nor is it legal advice.