Summer months bring more freedom for students and adults alike to go on vacation, visit family or even travel for work. More time for going places, however, means more traffic and more interactions between cars and large trucks on interstates and roads alike.

In 2021, the National Safety Council reported that 5,700 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, which was an 18% increase from 2020. Out of the 5,700 crashes, a total of 5,788 people died as a result. Approximately 74% of these accidents occurred on interstates.

For the same year, 117,300 large trucks were involved in non-fatal crashes that caused an injury. This is the second-highest number of these types of accidents after 2019.

Based on these statistics, exercising extra caution is extremely important when sharing the road with large trucks. By following a few of these tips, you can help protect you and your family this summer from being involved in a large truck accident.

1. Avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spot – a good test to gauge how aware a truck driver is of your car’s presence is whether you can see the driver’s face in their mirror. If you cannot see his or her face, the driver cannot see you, and you could be in danger of a collision.

2. Recognize longer stopping distances – because trucks and buses are larger, they need approximately the length of two football fields to stop. This is something to be aware of, especially if you are planning to merge.

3. Anticipating wide turns – this is more so for traveling on roads, but it is important to remember that again, because of their size, trucks will take up additional time and space when making turns. Planning to put extra room between you and the truck will minimize risk in this area.

4. Practice safe passing – while this is an important rule generally, it is especially important to be cautious while passing a truck. The best practice is to pass the truck on the left side, clearly signal in advance and confirm that you can see the truck in your rearview mirror before merging.

5. Stay focused – this is another basic rule, but distracted driving can become an even greater danger when large trucks are involved. Not only does this mean staying off your cell phone, but avoiding driving drowsy or intoxicated is also imperative.

Ultimately, being aware of the differences between cars and large trucks, including length, weight, and height, will enhance your safe driving practices. Of course, none of these tips are a guarantee of safety. If you or someone you know is injured in a collision with a large truck, contact the attorneys at Snable Stevenson & Silva for a free consultation.