Safety Issues With Large Vehicles

Answer 1

Every day, millions of tons of freight are transported across the nation's highways. While fifth wheel trucks and large tractor trailers play an important role in modern transportation, they can also be a risk to other vehicles on the road. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks on how to stay safe around large vehicles.

Large vehicles behave differently than much smaller vehicles. Unlike a small vehicle, a large vehicle can't accelerate or decelerate very quickly. In addition, drivers in very large vehicles often have a significant number of blind spots on their vehicles. This can make it difficult for them to see vehicles in certain areas around them.

When driving near large vehicles, it's important to avoid behaviors that can be dangerous to both the vehicle driver and the truck driver. For example, merging in front of a truck at a very close distance can make for dangerous driving conditions. If a vehicle has to stop quickly, it's as simple as applying the brakes. However, it can take a very long distance for a large truck to come to a stop. If a small vehicle brakes suddenly in front of a large truck, it will probably be rear-ended and destroyed. If the truck runs over the vehicle, the passengers inside may be killed.

It's also important for motorcycle drivers to be careful when driving near trucks and other large vehicles. In many cases, large vehicles can create air drafts that are very powerful. Many drivers have experienced the wobbling of their vehicle as a large truck passes. While this can be a disconcerting feeling for car drivers, it can be a deadly experience for motorcycle drivers.

It's also important to avoid tailgating a large truck or other vehicle. While there isn't a very high risk of rear-ending a large vehicle, it's still possible to expose oneself to a high degree of risk. For example, many large vehicles can throw gravel and other road debris into the air. If this road debris hits a windshield, it may cause the windshield to break. In addition, this road debris can cause serious injury to both drivers and passengers.