Are Large Trucks Becoming Safer?

Sharing the road with tractor trailers and big rigs can be nerve-wracking. We all know that, due to their sheer size and weight, an accident with a large truck can be catastrophic. Trucks cannot stop or maneuver the way smaller cars can, making it difficult for them to see out of their side mirrors or brake quickly if necessary.

Recently, the Foundation for Traffic Safety published a report examining ways to alleviate some of these dangers using technology and engineering. Their goal is to lessen the number of vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways.

Truck crash statistics

This report found, in 2015, large trucks drove approximately 280 billion miles on U.S. roads and were involved in over 400,000 accidents. These accidents resulted in 116,000 injuries and 4,067 deaths. New safety technologies provide the opportunity to prevent many of these accidents and fatalities. Some of these technologies include:

• Lane departure warning systems
• Automatic emergency brake systems
• Onboard video monitoring systems
• Air disc brakes

Of course, there is a significant cost in equipping new and existing trucks with these safety features, but the benefits would far outweigh the costs. Forecasts show implementing just these four features could prevent over 77,000 crashes annually.

Sharing the road safely

No matter what kind of safety measures big trucks and tractor trailers may implement, small vehicle drivers still need to remain alert to the dangers of driving near big rigs. Keep these tips in mind when taking to the road, especially during your holiday travel this year:

• Stay focused and alert.
• Pay attention to the truck’s blind spots—if you can’t see the driver in their side mirrors, they can’t see you either.
• Never swerve in front of a truck or otherwise force it to make a quick stop. Many trucks need up to the length of a football field to come to a complete stop.
• Keep in mind trucks may need to swing wide to the left to make a right-hand turn. Do not squeeze up into that extra space in the right lane or you may get hit.
• Pass trucks with care—give them extra room and do not hang around.
• Always operate under the assumption that the truck driver cannot see you.
• In bad weather, it is even more important to give a truck in front of you extra space due to splashes or sprays of rain, snow, or mud on your windshield that could impair your visibility.

Even with every precaution and safety measure, accidents happen. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck crash that was not your fault, our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers can help bring claims against the appropriate parties. For help with your case, please call us at 312-600-9585 or complete our contact form.