Are Truck Drivers Really the Safest on the Road? Tips to Avoid a Truck Accident

Take a road trip and you’ll find truck drivers are among the most common fellow drivers you’ll see on the road at any time of day. The average truck driver must go through comprehensive driving training and supervision prior to taking on their long shifts and driving responsibilities. In that way, truckers are more aware of the taxing role driving can have on the body.

Looking to avoid an accident with a truck? The most important piece of information to consider is being extra cautious. Other considerations to avoid a truck accident are to exercise additional caution when driving in inclement weather, such as rain or snow.

There are some common scenarios when a driver gets into an accident with a truck. For example, when the truck driver is driving after being on the road for 12+ hours and should be taking more frequent breaks to rest and recover, this can greatly impact their ability to cognitively approach a long, arduous drive. Falling asleep at the wheel is a real possibility not only for truck drivers but for anyone who makes long driving trips, particularly at night or in the middle of the night.

Another scenario where accidents with trucks may occur are when fellow drivers on the road underestimate their amount of space and placement on the road, landing themselves in the truck driver’s blind spot. It’s easy to get clipped when the truck driver doesn’t see you in their blind spot. Be extra cautious merging lanes around large freight trucks and large vehicles in general, particularly if you drive a compact or small vehicle.

Other considerations to avoid a truck accident are to exercise additional caution when driving in inclement weather, such as rain or snow. Bad weather is something that most truck drivers simply have to drive through unless the circumstances have closed down the roads. If the roads are still open, odds are truck drivers need to meet specific requirements and schedules during their time on the road.