Florida drivers may have extra concern on the roadways when navigating around large trucks and buses. The sheer size of those vehicles can be dominant, and many people know that a crash with a large truck or bus can be particularly devastating. Keeping some safety tips in mind on the road can help to ensure a safe, shared roadway with cars, trucks and buses.
Commercial motor vehicles like large trucks and buses have large blind spots, limited ability to maneuver and lengthy stopping distances. This means that other drivers need to make sure to pay attention to safety on the road to protect themselves and others. These kinds of large commercial vehicles have blind spots, or “no zones,” around the front, side and back of the vehicle. Drivers should assume that if they can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirror, the driver also cannot see them.
If a driver wants to pass a large commercial vehicle, it’s important to ensure that they can see the driver in the mirror. Using proper signals to move to the left lane and speeding up to get past the truck or bus will help drivers pass safely without lingering in the blind spot. Before pulling in front of the truck, it is also important for a driver to ensure that they can see the vehicle fully in their rear-view mirror and provide some extra space. It’s important to pass with plenty of room, because these vehicles can take 40 percent longer to stop than a passenger car.
Even when following all of these safety precautions, drivers and passengers on the roadway can fall victim to a truck or bus accident. These crashes can be caused by driver negligence, distracted driving, drowsy driving or other roadway dangers. People injured by large commercial vehicles through no fault of their own may want to consult a personal injury lawyer to find out about pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
