Where would our country be without the goods delivered by tractor-trailers crisscrossing its roadways? Long-haul truckers and local delivery drivers ensure our vehicles have fuel and stores have food.
But sharing the road with these large vehicles is not always easy, especially when traveling at high speeds.
Highway statistics
There are approximately 168,000 accidents involving large trucks yearly and over 5,000 fatalities. Of accidents involving injuries, 71% were the other vehicle’s occupants.
The size and weight of tractor-trailers are among the primary factors contributing to roadway accidents’ catastrophic nature. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Therefore, in a collision, the smaller vehicle is going to experience the full impact. And even at moderate speeds, a tractor-trailer’s momentum will be a crushing force.
Due to their immense size, tractor-trailers are not able to make quick turns or sudden stops. Traveling at 65 miles per hour may require 525 feet to come to a complete stop. This raises the risk of a rear-end collision when vehicles abruptly halt in heavy traffic.
In addition, on crowded roadways, a truck losing control often causes a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles, especially when the drivers of other vehicles have little room to maneuver and avoid a collision.
Sharing the road with large trucks requires defensive driving techniques, such as:
- Avoid the truck’s blind spots. A good rule to remember is if you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, they probably can’t see you.
- Maintain a safe following distance, especially in heavy traffic.
- Give them plenty of space to stop.
- If a truck driver signals they will change lanes, adjust your speed to allow them to maneuver safely.
All motorists and truck drivers deserve to arrive safely at their destination. If you have lost a loved one or they have been severely injured in an accident, no amount of money will replace them. However, compensation can help with medical expenses and lost wages.
