Why Should You Always Keep Your Distance From a Large Truck?

You should maintain a safe distance from large trucks because their significant blind spots make it difficult for drivers to see nearby vehicles, especially directly behind or beside the truck. Trucks may need to make wide turns, so staying back reduces your risk of collision if the truck brakes suddenly or maneuvers. Additionally, trucks require much more stopping distance than regular passenger vehicles. If the truck comes to a sudden halt and you’re driving too closely, your car may run into the back of the truck, which can have devastating results for you and your passengers.

Motor vehicle crashes can happen any time, anywhere and sometimes, they are unavoidable. However, there are simple safety tips drivers can use to remain as safe as possible while on the road. One of the main ways is to create a safe following distance between your motor vehicle and the vehicle in front (and behind!) of you – especially if it’s a larger vehicle like a truck!

The point is, if you’re sharing the road with a large commercial truck, do everything in your power to stay as far away from it as possible. If you were involved in a truck crash and have questions about your rights, call the Munley Law truck accident lawyers for a free consultation today. We will answer your questions, assess your claim, and lay out all your legal options.

Sharing the Road with Large Trucks

On any given day, over 8 million large trucks, including semi – trucks, delivery trucks, and loaded trucks, cruise the highways across the United States. They carry food, household supplies, medical supplies, concrete, chemicals, and other essential goods we all take for granted. While large trucks and truck drivers are fundamental to the American economy, sharing the road with these vehicles could be dangerous.

While carrying cargo, a tractor trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s approximately 25 times larger than the average passenger car. While any car accident has the potential for serious injuries, when a passenger vehicle is in an accident with a large truck, the results are almost always catastrophic for the passengers in the car. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 72% of people killed in large-truck traffic crashes in 2021 were occupants of other vehicles.

Recommended Minimum Following Distance for Commercial Vehicles

While the general rule of thumb is the 3-second rule. You should maintain a three-second following distance between your car and another passenger car, the rule is slightly different for following large trucks. When following behind a large truck, you should create additional space and maintain a minimum braking distance of four car lengths behind the commercial vehicle. Creating this space allows for enough stopping distance in case the truck suddenly brakes.

Factors that affect following distance

Of course, there are several factors that affect the following distance you need when traveling behind a large commercial vehicle. These factors include:

• Speed Limit: The faster you drive, the greater the following distance should be. Why? Because speed decreases your stopping time, whether the vehicle in front of you suddenly brakes or if there is a hazard on the road.
• Road conditions: Rain, snow, or icy roads require increased following distances. Instead of the three-second gap, or four car lengths behind the commercial vehicle, try staying at least six car lengths behind.
• Visibility: Poor visibility creates dangerous conditions, regardless of who is in front of your vehicle. Adverse weather conditions like rain, fog, and even darkness can decrease your visibility when driving. When there is less visibility on the road, create adequate distance between your car and the large truck.
• Traffic: Heavy traffic requires you to adjust your following distance. Sudden stops and swerving vehicles are more likely to happen when there is congestion on the road.

When to Increase Your Following Distance

Throughout your drive, there may be several moments when you should increase your braking distance between your car and a large commercial vehicle. They include:

Driving in Bad Weather Conditions

When you’re driving in inclement weather (whether you’re following a large truck or not!) you need to change the way you drive in order to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers.

Slow down. Driving should not be a race. If you have somewhere to be at a certain time, leave early so you’re not rushing on the road. Speeding in poor weather conditions increases your risk of a car accident or a truck accident.

This is a common theme here, but you must create extra space between any vehicle, but especially commercial trucks. Rain, sleet, fog, and snow will make the ground slippery, making it more difficult for you to come to a complete stop. Make sure your headlights are on in bad weather. Use all the tools you can to increase your visibility.

Finally, avoid suddenly braking or swerving into other lanes. While you want to maintain safe distances between your vehicle and a large truck in front of you, you cannot always control what the motor vehicles are doing behind you. Stay in your lane, use your turn signals, and stay focused throughout the entire drive.

Following a Vehicle that Makes Frequent Stops

Large trucks are used as garbage trucks, dump trucks, and construction trucks. These heavy vehicles make frequent stops on the road. To avoid a rear-end collision with the commercial vehicle, increase your reaction distance behind them.

Driving in Heavy Traffic

We’ve all been in rush hour traffic, eager to get out of the congestion and to our desired destination. However, heavy traffic is a prime opportunity for a truck accident. Keep yourself safe by maintaining a steady speed. Don’t brake or accelerate too suddenly. Always use your turn signals to alert the other drivers of your intent to move your car. Finally, be patient. Everyone is just trying to get to their destination safely. Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt and leave yourself enough time to get where you’re going so you’re not in a rush

Avoid Cutting Off Semi Trucks

Cutting off any vehicle greatly increases your risk of a rear-end collision. However, cutting off semi trucks is extremely dangerous. Due to their size and weight, semi trucks take a long time to slow down and come to a full stop. If you cut off a semi truck and then have to suddenly brake, you run the risk of the truck slamming into the back of your car. These accidents are particularly dangerous and can lead to a multi car pileup. Always yield to the commercial semi truck and avoid making sudden lane changes in front of them.

How to Safely Pass a Large Truck

Large commercial trucks have large blind spots. A blind spot is an area around the vehicle that the driver cannot see directly through the rearview mirror or side mirrors. In order to avoid staying in a truck’s blind spot, you should pass the truck quickly and create as much space as possible after you pass. Always use your turn signal well in advance of trying to pass the truck, and always pass on the left.

Avoid Trucks’ No-Zones

Truck’s blind spots are commonly known as “no-zones.” They are typically found on the side of the truck, directly in front of the truck, and directly behind the truck. This is where the truck driver simply cannot see your car, which is a dangerous zone. Avoid the no-zone by following this general rule: if you cannot see the truck driver, the truck driver cannot see you. If you want to pass the truck, pass the truck on the left, use your turn signal, and pass as quickly as possible. If you do not want to pass the truck, stay at a safe distance behind the truck and avoid driving too closely.

Staying Safe Around Large Trucks

Be a defensive driver and create a safe following distance between your car and the other vehicles around you. If you use defensive driving techniques and create a safe driving distance, you’re more likely to get to your destination safely and securely.

Finally, remember that prudent driving around large trucks can prevent life-changing accidents and protect both you and your loved ones. If you’ve been involved in a truck collision, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Munley Law can help assess your situation and explain your legal rights to ensure you understand all available options for moving forward. Call for a free consultation today.