Safety tips for sharing the road with commercial trucks

No matter how hard you try to steer clear of them, if you find yourself on the highways in or around Louisville, you’ll always be near commercial trucks.

Since there is no way to avoid this, you need to do whatever it takes to maintain a high level of safety. This is easier said than done, but there are definite steps you can take to remain safe at all times.

Here are five things you should do when driving around commercial trucks (either on the highway or in the city):

• Always be on your toes. It’s easy to lose focus when you’re driving on the highway, especially when you’re behind the wheel for an extended period. There’s never a good time to let your guard down, as an accident can happen in an instant.
• Never take a chance with your safety. Yes, it can be inconvenient to drive close to commercial trucks. And yes, there will be times when you want to take a chance, such as by passing a truck in the right lane. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Take caution when passing a truck. There will be times when you have no choice but to pass a truck, but you need to be careful when doing so. Make your move in the left lane, don’t drive in the trucker’s blind spot and leave plenty of space when getting back into the right lane.
• Watch for truckers making a turn. For example, a trucker may need to set up a right turn by swinging far into the left lane. If the trucker can’t see you, there’s a chance your vehicle could be hit.
• Leave extra space. There is never a good time to drive too close to a truck. For example, don’t ride a car length behind on the highway. Not only does this mean the trucker can’t see you, but it puts you in a bad spot should you need to stop in a hurry.

These tips can go a long way in keeping you safe when sharing the road with commercial trucks.

If you happen to be part of an accident, maybe because a trucker made a poor decision, call 911. After you receive treatment, learn more about the accident and your legal rights, as you may be able to seek compensation for injuries and other damages.