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Personal Injury Law Blog

3 tips for safely driving around trucks on Greenville highways

When you are driving on Interstates 85, 185 and 385, you might be in a rush. Whether you are going to work or going to Atlanta for a night out, you need to be careful on the highway, especially around large trucks. Commercial 18-wheelers can be frustrating to share the road with at times, but it is necessary to keep some safety tips in mind when you are around them.

Driving safely around big rigs is key to avoiding accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries and death. Keep reading for the best ways to stay safe around commercial trucks with information from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

1. Get out of the huge blind spots

If you have ever seen those red warning labels on the back of tractor trailers, remember that they are there for a reason. Think about the blind spots of your own car and magnify them to the size of a huge truck. Do not stay closely behind or directly next to a truck on the highway. If you do this, a truck driver making a sudden lane change could be the last thing you ever witness.

2. Pass safely

When you have had a long day and you do not feel like dealing with big trucks on the highway, you might not think twice about pulling directly in front of one after you pass. Do not do this. Make sure you leave adequate room and maintain your speed. Otherwise, an 80,000-pound truck is likely to collide with you.

3. Understand turning is difficult

Once you get off the highway and are turning, you might see a truck taking a wide right turn. Do not take this as an opportunity to swing around to the right of the truck. These large semis need a large turning radius, and this only cuts them off. Be courteous and let the truck turn with sufficient space.