Truck accidents are no surprise to anyone; unfortunately, the number of accidents is increasing. There are several reasons, including driving under the influence, driving distracted, or technical aspects of the truck itself- its size, blind spots, and more. Truck drivers are also at a high risk of being in an accident. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 35% of truck drivers have been involved in an accident throughout their career.
A significant danger, however, is the damage that a large truck can cause to a smaller vehicle, whether the car is driving behind it or next to it. Trucks have substantial blind spots, which prevents them from seeing other vehicles and people. This is highly problematic. While truck drivers usually have side mirrors, their view is limited. If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
It is not uncommon for a collision between a truck and a smaller vehicle to result in fatalities. In fact, it is common. There are certain things you can do to lessen the chances of getting involved in n accident with a truck:
- If you are driving behind one or next to one and are legally and safely able to pass them, do so for your safety
- Do not speed when driving around or behind trucks. A truck’s ability to stop and hit the brakes is slower than in small vehicles, so if you are speeding behind one and they hit the brakes, you can easily crash into the truck.
- Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance that could impair your ability to drive safely. If you take prescription drugs, ask your doctor whether it is safe for you to take the prescribed medication (s) and drive safely.
- Avoid distractions. This is one of the leading causes of death and primarily one of the reasons why accidents of this kind are increasing in numbers. People are used to being on their phones, and breaking that habit is a challenge. However, your life may depend on it.
Tragically, people often die because they look at their cell phones instead of the road in front of them.
Truck accidents are common and often fatal, but we can all do our part to help minimize risk by following the steps above and using common sense.
Ensuring that you are taking all safety precautions, including; never driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and avoiding distractions, can go a long way in preventing injuries and deaths.