• About Us
  • Support
  • Trending
  • Log In
I Drive Safely
  • About Us
  • Support
  • Log In
  • Tickets & Violations
    • Defensive Driving
    • Driver Improvement
    • Traffic School
  • Drivers Ed
    • Drivers Ed
    • Practice Test/Driver Prep
    • Behind the Wheel Drivers Training
  • Insurance Discounts
  • Resources
    • DMV Resources
    • Driving Resources
  • More
    • Texas Driving Record
    • Fleet Driving Training
  • Trending

Trending Articles

  • All Articles
  • Auto Insurance
  • Defensive Driving
  • Safe Driving Tips
  • Entertainment

5 Tips to Drive Safely Near a Tractor-Trailer

Dismiss Your
Traffic Ticket &
Earn an
Insurance
Discount

For Price and Details
Select Your State
  • Top States
  • California
  • Florida
  • Michigan
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • All States
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming




tractor-trailer-accident

Tractor-trailers, commonly known as semi-trucks, are not passenger vehicles. They are designed for the purpose of transporting goods over long distances efficiently. Due to their size and limited maneuverability,     tractor-trailers can cause devastating damage     in a collision.

Accidents involving semi-trucks killed more than 3,750 people on U.S. roads in 2011, and injured many more. Keep the following tips in mind when driving near large trucks to minimize the danger to you and those in your vehicle.

1. Give a truck extra space.

Keep ample distance when driving in front of or behind a large truck, and choose another lane if a semi truck is driving too closely behind you. Tractor-trailers need substantially more space than a car does to come to a complete stop in an emergency.

2. Stay out of a truck’s blind spot.

Tractor-trailers have larger blind spots than other vehicles. Follow this general rule: If you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see your vehicle. Keep yourself visible.

3. Pass a tractor-trailer with care.

Never cross the double yellow line. If you must pass a tractor-trailer, always do so on the left, and don’t cut the truck off by re-entering the lane closely in front of it.

4. Keep size in mind.

A semi truck sharing the highway with you can weigh as much as 16 times more than the car you are driving. It may also be carrying dangerous chemicals that could turn a simple accident into a disaster. Also be sure to stay in your own lane; large trucks are wide and need the full width of their lane to drive.

5. Use common sense.

Whether driving a car, an SUV, or a semi truck, we all are supposed to follow the same rules. However, that doesn’t mean everyone actually will. Check your mirrors regularly, and be alert at all times. Always avoid cell phones and other distractions.

About Author:

 The Truck Accident Attorneys at Atlanta-based     Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC     are nationally recognized for their work in the field of trucking law. They have more than 50 combined years of experience representing those injured by a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, and they lecture and advise other attorneys on the topic. 

PayPal Logo
Amazon Payments
Credit Cards
McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
Norton Logo
I Drive Safely LLC BBB Business Review
I Drive Safely

Products

  • Drivers Ed
  • Defensive Driving
  • Traffic School
  • Driver Improvement

Company Info

  • About Us
  • Customer Support
  • FAQs
  • Blog

About This Site

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Trending

© 2019 · I Drive Safely® Top We Build Safer Drivers