Jersey Shore Personal Injury and Employment Specialists

What are some tips for sharing the road safely with big trucks?

On Behalf of | Sep 7, 2017 | Truck Accidents |

New Jersey has many highways in Monmouth County so it is inevitable that you will be sharing the road with a large tractor-trailer at some point while you are behind the wheel. While it can seem frightening when such a heavy machine is looming over you, it is certainly possible for both you and the truck driver to navigate the road safely. Here is what you need to know.

According to Edmunds, one dangerous behavior you should avoid is traveling at the same speed as the truck. If the truck driver is trying to merge or change langes, he or she will be unable to do so if you are matching their speed.

In addition, you may end up in one the truck’s blind spots if you are not going faster or slower than the truck is. If your goal is to go around the truck, then you should do it and make sure you are clear of its blind spots. Moreover, if you want or need to pass a truck, it is much safer to do it on the left side than the right side. This is because the driver is on the left side and has a much better chance of being aware of you as the line of sight is clearer.

While it is never a good idea to tailgate any vehicle that is on the road with you, it is also not a good idea to travel too close to the front of a truck either. Because of their size, trucks require a lot of room to come to a stop. Leaving a wide berth between the front of the truck and the back of your car will ensure that the driver has plenty of space to slow down if necessary.