Myths About Driving Near Trucks

Commercial trucking may be vital to America’s economy, but this industry poses significant threats to roadway safety. Truck accidents are often fatal for occupants of smaller vehicles due to the immense weight of the big rig. The lighter vehicle will bear the brunt of the force in a collision. For this reason, it is important as a driver to look out for your safety while driving near large trucks. Get the truth behind a few common myths about driving near trucks to avoid getting into a serious accident in Texas.

Truck Drivers Are Less Likely to Cause Accidents Than Other Drivers

While it is true truck drivers have to undergo special training to operate big rigs, they can make all the same mistakes as other drivers in Texas. A Class C license does not guarantee a safe driver. A truck driver could engage in the same dangerous or negligent driving practices as a motor vehicle driver, such as speeding, tailgating, aggressive driving, distracted driving and unsafe lane changes.

Operating a big rig could increase the risk of causing an accident due to the complex nature of these vehicles. In 2017, 4,657 drivers operating large trucks were involved in fatal traffic accidents in the U.S. Truck drivers must take extra care in maneuvering commercial trucks. Large trucks cannot turn as sharply or stop as quickly as smaller, lighter vehicles. It can be easier, therefore, to cause an accident if the truck driver is not careful.

Large Rearview Mirrors Increase a Trucker’s Visibility

The length of a trailer on the average big rig makes for serious blind spots, often called No Zones. These blind spots extend about 20 feet in front of the big rig, 30 feet behind, one lane to the left and two lanes to the right. Hovering in these No Zones could put you at risk of an accident, as you will be virtually invisible to the truck driver.

It is a common misconception that a truck’s larger mirrors mean better visibility. Even large side mirrors cannot remedy serious blind spots. If you cannot see the truck driver in one of the mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you. Another myth is that truck drivers always check their blind spots. On the contrary, truck drivers often assume motor vehicle drivers will keep a safe distance away and will not be hovering in No Zones.

Truck Companies Do Everything They Can to Ensure the Safety of Fleets

Do not assume a trucking company has ensured the safety of the truck driving next to you. The opposite could be true. Trucking companies may cut corners to save money and time while transporting cargo. The truck next to you could lose its load, experience brake failure or crash into you because of a dangerous truck driver. Pass a commercial truck as quickly as you can to keep yourself safe.

A common mistake trucking companies make, for example, is to pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines. This could encourage drivers to disobey hours-of-service regulations and drive drowsy. Drowsy driving can easily be deadly behind the wheel of a big rig. A negligent trucking company could be responsible for unsafe drivers, poor fleet maintenance or broken rules such as ignoring the rear impact guard requirement.

It is the Truck Driver’s Responsibility to Prevent an Accident

Every driver has a responsibility to prevent traffic accidents. It is not the truck driver’s duty alone, but also yours to drive safely and to prevent collisions. One of the best ways to avoid a truck accident as a driver is to dedicate 100% of your attention to the road. Texting and driving or engaging in another form of distracted driving could make it easy to miss a big rig pulling out in front of you, hitting the brakes or changing lanes. If you are watching the road, you have a better chance of stopping before you collide with a tractor-trailer. Drive defensively and be ready for anything when driving near a truck in Texas.