Staying Safe in Winter: Avoiding Truck Accidents
Driving in the wintertime can be tricky for all kinds of drivers, no matter the conditions. Between lower visibility from darker nights to blizzard conditions making the roads treacherous, accidents can happen more easily in the winter. When there are many semi trucks on the road, too, accidents can occur due to negligent driving, vehicle drivers making risky driving choices, and other factors, but you can keep yourself, your family, and your vehicle safe on the road by making more conscious decisions around trucks. If you or a loved one is ever injured in a truck accident on the road in Baltimore, the dedicated attorneys at Murphy, Falcon, & Murphy are here to help. Contact us today to learn more and get started with a consultation.
When you’re navigating the roads in Baltimore during the winter, you may be eager to get to your destination and spend as little time on the road as possible. However, if you’re sharing the road with semi trucks, it is important to remember that your vehicle speed will directly affect your safety on the road and your ability to avoid a collision with one of those trucks. Semi truck drivers are trained to handle the inclement conditions, but they are not infallible and due to the large, heavy nature of their vehicles, they’re more difficult to stop, turn, and generally control. Avoid speeding while around trucks on the road to prevent sliding, slipping, or losing control and creating a recipe for disaster.
Drive Slower
When you’re on the road around trucks, you may assume that just because you’re in a vehicle, you’re easy to see. However, this isn’t always the case, even if the weather doesn’t seem to be limiting your field of vision. Semi truck cabs are usually set much higher off the ground than non-commercial use vehicles, meaning that their field of vision drastically differs from yours. By keeping your lights on at all times, you’re providing more opportunities for truck drivers to see where your vehicle is and give you the appropriate amount of space on the road. If you’re unsure about whether a truck driver can see you, it’s best to play it safe, keep your lights on, and avoid getting in the truck’s way.
Keep Your Lights On At All Times
In the same vein as getting in the truck’s way, large semi trucks and commercial vehicles should be given more space on the road in the wintertime. This is because they’re slower to stop, more difficult to control, and more likely to slide on ice if they run into it at too high of a speed. Keep yourself, your family, and your vehicle safe and whole by allowing for more space between you and trucks when on the road. If you’re on a multi-lane road, try not to linger beside any trucks when passing, as well, because the driver of the truck may lose track of your car in a blind spot, creating a potentially dangerous scenario for you.
Give Trucks More Space Than Normal
Of course, every driver knows that the rules of the road are there to protect the safety of everyone driving, however, it can be difficult to keep that in mind at times. Whether you’re frustrated from following a slow-going semi truck or you’re uncomfortable with being surrounded by trucks in inclement weather, the key to staying safe is to ensure that you’re following the rules of the road. Try to avoid speeding, remember to use your turn signal whenever you’re changing lanes, and give other vehicles on the road enough space and time to react so you don’t cut off a semi-truck or other drivers. By taking it slow and following the rules, you’ll be able to maximize your safety on the road.
Follow The Rules of the Road
While it may not always be possible to avoid driving in poor conditions, sometimes the best option for avoiding truck accidents is to simply avoid getting on the road at all. If you’re uncomfortable driving in snow, rain, hail, or other inclement weather, see if you can instead take public transportation or save your outing for another day. If you absolutely must take the trip, see if you can ask another experienced driver you trust to take you to your destination instead.
Avoid Driving in Unfavorable Conditions
Lastly, one of the most important tips to keep in mind when driving around trucks in the winter is to give trucks adequate stopping capabilities. Never, under any circumstances, follow a truck closer than two car lengths in poor weather conditions, and on the other end, do not change lanes too closely to trucks or stop suddenly when you have a truck behind you.
Don’t Tailgate or Stop Unexpectedly
Avoiding truck accidents in Baltimore doesn’t have to be difficult, but if you or a loved one are ever injured in a truck accident, call Murphy, Falcon, & Murphy to get a consultation for your case.