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Attorney Jordan Van Matre

Safely sharing the road with semitrucks

On Behalf of | Nov 6, 2023 | Trucking Accidents

Interstate 75 can become heavily congested while passing through McDonough, Georgia. There’s a huge number of cars on the road, which can make some drivers of automobiles feel incredibly anxious when traveling alongside semitrucks. Passing such massive vehicles can be intimidating for them.

Even though a car can’t match a semitruck in an accident, both types of vehicles can safely coexist on the road if drivers follow traffic laws and use caution.

Ways to safely share the road with semitrucks

Observing these guidelines will allow you to drive close to semitrucks with confidence:

  • When following a semitruck, you should always keep a safe distance. 
  • Pay attention to your surroundings. If a truck needs to pass you, give them room to do so by, if at all feasible, shifting into the right lane.
  • Don’t drive too fast. Keep your speed under the posted limit and keep a close eye on your surroundings. You have to be on the lookout at all times because this can be challenging to accomplish on a crowded roadway.
  • Avoid being in a truck’s blind spots. These include the truck’s right side, which has the largest blind spot, the area behind the vehicle and the area in front of the cab.
  • Never cut off a truck. Semitruck drivers are not able to brake as quickly as automobile drivers. They require twice as much space to halt as an automobile. 
  • Always use your signals to let truckers know when you need to move over or exit the highway.
  • Steer clear of distractions like your phone, the radio’s buttons and the coffee cup in your cup holder. 

Sometimes, accidents happen despite a driver’s best efforts. When they do, seek legal assistance to handle the aftermath.