Trucking safety:
preventing truck injuries and fatalities

In January 2000, the US Department of Transportation created the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to improve commercial vehicle safety on the highways. The FMCSA set a goal of reducing the number of deaths resulting from crashes with commercial motor vehicles 41 percent by the year 2008. To help achieve this goal, FMCSA launched the Share the Road Safely Program to educate all drivers and road users about interacting safely in and around large trucks and buses. They offer these commonsense safety tips for truck and bus drivers:

Take care of yourself

Your health and ability to drive safely is your vehicle’s most essential safety mechanism. Drivers should get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel. Driving for more hours than the alloweded maximums is a serious safety violation. If you’re not well rested, don't drive.

Take care of your vehicle

Inspect your vehicle before every trip. Throughout a trip you’ll want to check your brakes. Learn to inspect your brakes and to recognize problems. When you see an unsafe condition, have it repaired before you head out.

Know your blind spots

The blind spots around trucks and buses are where crashes are more likely to occur. Know where your truck’s blind spots are, and be vigilant in watching out for vehicles there. Don’t count on other drivers to know where your truck's blind spots are, or how large they are. One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in the the truck’s blind spot.

Always drive defensively

More than 60 per cent of all traffic deaths are caused by aggressive driving behaviors. Drive defensively. Keep your distance and maintain a safe speed. Speed always increases your risk of a crash.

Respect the cone zone

Slow down when you see highway construction. Take your time going through work zones and give yourself plenty of room. Expect the unexpected. Nearly one-third of work zone crashes involve large trucks.

Always keep your distance

Always leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Large trucks require much longer stopping distances than other vehicles. Take advantage of the increased field of vision that your vehicle's height allows, and anticipate braking situations.

Fasten your seat belt

Buckle up for safety and control. In a crash, a seat belt may save your life and the lives of those around you. If you’re belted in, you’re more likely to be able to maintain control of your vehicle. Drivers who aren’t belted are at greater risk for being ejected from their truck, and sustaining fatal injuries.

Sharing the road with trucks: drive defensively

Drivers of cars and motorcycles are at a serious disadvantage in a crash involving a large truck. They can reduce their risk of being in a trucking accident by understanding a truck's limitations in braking and maneuvering, and their very substantial blind spots. Here are procedures which will reduce your risk when you're sharing the road with large trucks:

Don't cut in front of a large truck

If you pass a truck and then cut into the truck's lane, especially in heavy traffic, you may create an emergency-braking situation. Because of their greater weight, trucks have a greater momentum, and may require much longer distance to stop than would a car at comparable speed. When passing, look for the front of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front.

Buckle up

Always buckle your seat belt. Seat belts may be your best protection in case of a crash, especially in an accident with a large truck. If your car is struck from behind, your seat belt may keep you from striking the steering wheel or windshield, being thrown around, and being thrown from the car.

Watch the "no-zones," the truck's blind spots

Large trucks have blind spots, or no-zones, around the front, back and sides of the truck. A truck could drift into your vehicle, because these no-zones make it difficult for the driver to see. Remember that if you can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, the truck driver may not see you.

Pay attention

Drivers who use cell phones, or fail to notice trucks’ brake lights or signals, or drive slowly in the passing lane can cause serious accidents. When you are driving, keep your full attention on the road. If you need take care of something else, safely pull over in a parking lot or rest stop.

Watch for trucks making wide right turns

If you’re behind a large truck, remember that the driver may swing the truck wide to the left in order to allow enough room to manage a right turn. This is even more likely on crowed city streets. As the driver swings left, you may be in the truck’s blind spot, directly behind or beside it. If you’re trapped between a large truck and the curb, you could be squeezed and can suffer a serious accident.