Here in Southern Ohio, our roads full of commercial trucks delivering goods to companies throughout the region. Here are some tips to help you avoid a crash with one of these trucks.
Blind Spots – Large commercial trucks have equally large blind spots. They are located around the front, back and sides of large trucks. When you put yourself in one of them, the driver can’t see you. If you can’t see the truck drivers face through a window or in a mirror, they can’t see you. To avoid having an accident with a commercial vehicle, stay out of these blind spots.
Passing Commercial Trucks – As with avoiding blind spots, it is important to make sure the driver can see you in their side mirror BEFORE you pass. Make sure you turn on your signal as you move over to pass, accelerate through any blind spots and move past the truck as quickly and safely as possible. Never pass a commercial truck on a curve, near an intersection, in the right lane, where there is a double yellow line or going downhill which would make it more difficult for the truck driver to bring the truck to a stop in an emergency situation.
Don’t Cut Off Commercial Trucks – Leave a lot of space between your vehicle and the truck. A large commercial truck can’t stop as quickly as you can.
Don’t Tailgate – Tailgating is never a good idea but it is especially bad to do it to commercial trucks. Tailgating will put you in the driver’s back blind spot where they cannot see your vehicle. It’s a dangerous place to be.
WIDE Turns – Trucks make very wide turns. Be sure to figure out what a driver is doing before you try to pull alongside a truck. If the truck driver wants to make a right turn, they may have to swing out to the left before turning to the right and if you pull up into that area you might cause an accident.
While driving near commercial trucks here in Chillicothe, Ross County or surrounding areas, slow down, leave space and make sure the driver can see you. Don’t be aggressive and stay out of blind spots!
If you’re injured in an accident and believe someone else is at fault, give us a call.
