Large Truck Blind Spots and How They Cause Serious Accidents
Blind spots are areas around a vehicle in which the driver may not be able to see other vehicles. These areas are particularly large on semi-trucks because of their length and because truck drivers sit much higher off the ground than passenger vehicle drivers. Known as “no zones,” these blind spots are located on all four sides of a big rig:
Trucker Braking Practices That Protect Everyone Else
Proper braking technique is very important in a big rig, particularly on a downhill slope. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. Brakes use friction to slow down or stop a truck. Excessive braking on a decline can cause overheating and lead to brake fade, a condition in which friction and effectiveness of a truck’s brakes are reduced. Continued overuse of the brakes can cause them to fail entirely, leading to deadly truck accidents.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
Truck accidents can cause devastating consequences, often resulting in significant injury or fatalities. In available data from 2020, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported 75 fatal truck-tractor crashes and 36 fatal “other truck” crashes in South Carolina. Knowing the common causes of these accidents can help keep you safer on the roads.
Keeping Safe Around Trucks on the Highway
As one of the largest vehicles on our roads, trucks can cause devastating consequences in a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020, there were 132 truck accidents in South Carolina, the highest annual tally from the previous five years.
Careless Trucking Companies Cause Accidents
A fully loaded truck weighs about 25 times as much as a regular passenger vehicle. When a truck crashes into a car, the results can be devastating for you and your passengers. That’s why state and federal regulations require special training for truck drivers.