One of the biggest dangers you can face as a driver is the huge trucks that cruise the roads. They are an essential part of the transport system, but that does not make driving next to them any less scary.
A collision with a truck can easily lead to severe injuries or be fatal, so understanding what you can do to minimize the risk around them is essential. Here are a few pointers to start with:
1. Do not sit in their blind spots
Truck blind spots are much more extensive than those of cars. They can stretch across two lanes to the right of the cab and one lane to the left. They can reach 30 feet behind the rear and 20 feet in front of the cab.
2. Allow them plenty of space
Only overtake when you are sure you have plenty of room to pull in well ahead of the truck safely.
Sitting too close behind a truck won’t give you time to react if the truck suddenly brakes. You don’t want to risk going underneath the back, so stay well back.
You should also understand that trucks sometimes need to swing out in the opposite direction first in order to make a tight turn.
3. Take extra care in poor weather
If a truck skids on ice or gets caught by the wind, the driver may struggle to regain control. Staying well away from them in adverse weather circumstances means any unexpected movement caused by the conditions should not affect you.
Despite your best precautions, a collision could still occur. If it does you’ll need to learn more about your options to claim compensation.
