3 Ways To Stay Safe While Driving Around Big Trucks

As you travel back home from the holidays, you may run into many huge trucks dominating the highways. With more than 4,000 deaths occurring each year due to truck accidents, driving safety around big trucks is important. Below, our San Jose truck accident attorneys share three ways you can stay safe driving when big trucks are around in California.

Safety Tip #1: Do Not Cut Off A Truck

While trucks may seem slow moving on the highway, drivers must remember that these vehicles are heavy, hard to maneuver, and deadly when out of control. Due to their large size, trucks cannot brake suddenly when needed. It takes longer to stop than the average passenger vehicle.

If you need to pass and merge in front of a truck, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends passing on the left driver’s side. Then, make sure you can see its two headlights in your rearview mirror before using your signal to merge.

Safety Tip #2: Avoid A Truck’s Blind Spots

Commercial trucks have large blind spots on every side. If you are following too closely behind or if you are driving next to the truck, there is a good chance you are in a blind spot. You want to avoid a truck’s blind spots when you or the truck is:

• Turning
• Changing lanes
• Backing up

Truck accidents occur due to various reasons, but many accidents happen due to blind spots. Remember that if you cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirrors, then the driver cannot see you.

Safety Tip #3: Follow Basic Driving Safety

Following basic driving safety will help you stay safe when big trucks are around in California. A few driving safety tips include:

• Avoid distracted driving. Stay alert at all times while driving. Keep distractions to a minimum, including cell phone use, eating and talking to passengers.
• Use your signal light. If you change lanes, take an exit or merge in front of another vehicle, use your signal to let other drivers know.
• Do not speed. Drive the speed limit. Speeding makes it more difficult to control the vehicle and come to a quick stop when needed.
• Avoid drinking and driving. Drugs and alcohol impair a driver’s judgment and reflexes, making an accident more likely.

Truck drivers are trained to drive carefully around passenger vehicles and be hyper aware of the danger their vehicle could pose to other drivers. Working together with truckers can potentially help minimize accidents on the roads.

Contact Our San Jose Truck Accident Lawyers After An Accident

Stay safe heading home after the holidays and work together with your fellow drivers to keep our roads safe. If you have been in a trucking accident, we recommend that you contact our San Jose truck accident attorneys. We can answer your legal questions and help you to understand your best legal options. Contact us online or call us at (408) 716-1668 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.