How to drive safely around trucks

You should be careful at all times when driving. However, you may need to be extra cautious around trucks due to their size and weight. Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that 4,965 people were killed in 2020 in accidents involving trucks, with 71% of them being occupants of other vehicles.

Here are three tips to help you drive safely near trucks.

Stay out of blind spots

Trucks have several blind spots due to their size, including directly behind, immediately in front, beside the driver’s door and a significant part of the passenger side. A truck driver may not see your vehicle in these spots. If you can’t see them in the truck’s side mirror, the chances are they also don’t see you.

You should avoid being on the sides of a truck if possible, and when you are in front, move ahead to be visible and slow down if you are behind the truck.

Pass safely

If you are in a safe position to pass a truck, you should do it carefully. Make sure you can see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, and then approach from the left, as it’s easier for them to notice you.

Maintain a consistent speed and only accelerate when passing. You should see the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling in front.

Keep a safe following distance

It will be best to increase to a safe distance when following a truck. This gives the truck driver adequate space to make turns, and protects your vehicle from being pushed underneath the trailer if you fail to stop on time when needed.

Trucking accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities. If you are involved in such an accident, consider your options to get the compensation you deserve.