Driving near large trucks and buses is a common occurrence in Kentucky. While you may not think twice about this, you should be mindful of the risks of sharing the road with these big vehicles. Tractor trailers and buses take longer to stop, need significantly more space on the road and have sizeable blind spots. If an accident occurs, these heavy vehicles can cause serious injuries and fatalities.
Thankfully, there are proactive steps you can take to stay safe near big rigs and other large vehicles. Keep reading for the best tips on sharing the road with large trucks by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
1. Give them plenty of space
Trucks, buses and other big commercial vehicles cannot maneuver as quickly as passenger cars or motorcycles. The drivers of these vehicles are trained to leave a lot of space between them and other cars. You might see this as an opportunity for a lane change, but be careful and do not cut in front of a truck or bus.
2. Avoid following closely
Extra following distance is crucial to giving you enough reaction time and an adequate view of the road. If you follow closely behind a big truck, you cannot see much in front of you. The driver also likely cannot see you. Give yourself extra distance when driving behind a truck or bus.
3. Stay out of blind spots
Tractor trailers have much larger blind spots than cars. They are so significant that they are referred to as no-zones. Trucks have no-zones in the front, back and sides. Whenever you are driving near a truck, make sure you can see the driver in his or her side mirror.
Following these tips and being attentive is crucial to reducing the chances of a large truck collision. Unfortunately, sometimes truck drivers may cause accidents from being distracted or fatigued. If this happens to you, be sure to consult a personal injury attorney.