Driving on interchanges with commercial trucks can sometimes be quite unsafe. It’s not their fault, it’s just that interchanges are typically already a bit tight. So, having a commercial truck on a packed interchange can create some pretty tight spaces. In turn, accidents may occur under the right, or wrong, conditions. These interchanges can help keep the flow of traffic moving efficiently, and easily. However, that is not always the case…
Interchanges and Truck-Related Accidents
Every experienced driver knows that, when next to a commercial truck, the road can begin to feel a little bit tighter. It’s not their fault— commercial trucks range in size, but one consistent is that they’re much larger than a passenger vehicle. Therefore, they take up much more of the roadway, and when turns become tight and you’re on the inside lane beside a truck, it can feel pretty dangerous.
Because interchanges lose space when trucks drive on them, there is a higher chance of accidents happening. However, car drivers cannot always avoid interchanges, or predict when trucks will merge onto them, and avoid that time. If trucks turn too fast or too wide, it can cause an accident. For these reasons, there are some precautions car drivers can take to ensure safety.
How do we safely share interchanges with commercial trucks?
For one, drivers can slow down or speed up to make sure that they are not in the truck driver’s blind spot. Additionally, car drivers can also reduce speed and create cushion between themselves, and the truck. By allowing commercial trucks to get ahead of us, we lower our chances of involvement in an accident. If the truck executes a turn too wide or begins to swerve, we can react to these potential dangers by being far enough away from them to adjust.
However, the fault is not always that of the commercial truck drivers’. Rather, how other people drive around those trucks. Every drive reacts differently to the presence of a larger vehicle. To put it plan and simply— many people drive terribly around larger vehicles out of fear. They’re scared, so they speed, jump in front of the trucks, or misjudge the distance between them and the truck, and panic.
Although we can always take necessary measures for safety, the world can still throw a curve ball.
Sometimes we practice the best driving habits possible, and other drivers hit us. Unfortunately, when truck drivers hit cars, the accidents can result in serious injury. As a result, we can only drive safely, but we cannot be entirely sure other drivers will too. So, your best bet is to be prepared for potential accidents. Familiarize yourself with the roadways you’ll be driving on, avoid what you’re uncomfortable with, and ultimately, do what you can to protect yourself. You have options, and ultimately, accidents will still happen. However, if you drive safely and smart, you can avoid some of them.