Many of us feel nervous when driving near a semi-truck on the highway. Afterall, semis are much larger than your typical car or truck.
But did you know that 75% of commercial vehicle accidents are actually caused by passenger car drivers? For everyone’s safety, it’s important to take precaution when driving around semis. Here are five key ways you can do that:
- Be aware of blind spots. Large vehicles have bigger blind spots than most. Therefore, you should pass quickly and never linger in areas out of semi drivers’ sights. This includes directly in front of the semi, directly behind it and on its right side.
- Remember semis need extra stopping time. Due to their size, semis require more time to come to a full stop. Therefore, you should never cut off a semi. Make sure you can see its whole front before moving in front of it. Also, if a semi is behind you and you need to stop, signal and start braking well ahead of time.
- Stay off your phone. You should never drive distracted, but this is especially important when you’re around a semi. You could veer into their lane, or end up hitting your brakes in front of them. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can be very dangerous.
- Keep your lights dimmed. When approaching or passing a semi, you should keep your bright headlights off. Bright lights can temporarily blind drivers, which could result in an accident.
- Be a defensive driver. Even if you’re an experienced driver, it’s always best practice to drive defensively. You should stay alert, maintain a safe speed and cut out any distractions when driving around semis.
Driving around semis can feel intimidating at times. But by following these tips, we can all share the road more safely.
