Ohio Teen Drivers and Trucks: How to Pass and Avoid Accidents

Large trucks are constantly driving alongside passenger cars on Ohio roads and highways. These trucks are involved in many dangerous collisions on interstates, hectic city streets, and even neighborhoods.

Young and inexperienced drivers often have a challenging time when traveling near large trucks and commercial vehicles. This inexperience can lead to serious accidents and devastating injuries.

Teen drivers who learn how to safely pass and avoid trucks have a much lower likelihood of being in a serious wreck. However, if you or a teenage loved one have been injured in a truck wreck due to negligence, contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick to discuss your rights. Professional truck drivers are held to high standard, and our Ohio truck accident lawyers years have decades of experience and long record of securing financial recoveries for injury victims.

Call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW to set up a free, no-risk consultation.

Trucks Have Large Blind Spots to Avoid

Every person behind the wheel has certain spots that make it difficult to maintain visibility. These are generally called a driver’s “blind spots”. These areas have greatly reduced visibility for the driver, but their existence doesn’t make it impossible for them to safely operate their vehicle.

Other drivers must be aware of these blind spots, and it’s important to understand that large trucks have significant areas that might be difficult or impossible for the driver to see.

While it’s not possible to completely stay out of a truck’s blind spots, we can make sure that we don’t linger in these areas any longer than necessary. Blind spots completely surround a large truck.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identifies the blind spots for these vehicles as:

• 20 feet in front – Truck drivers operate their vehicles from a great height, and they can’t see the road immediately in front of them. It’s never safe to jump right in front of any vehicle, but this is especially true for a truck.
• 30 feet behind – A truck driver will use mirrors on both sides of their vehicle, but they don’t have use of a center-mounted rear view mirror. It’s never safe to closely tail a truck.
• One lane to the left – It’s difficult for a truck driver to see space immediately to their left. This is due to the height of their driver’s seat.
• Two lanes to the right – Since the driver is seated on the left side of their truck, it’s especially hard for them to see to the right. Their visibility is greatly reduced for an area of about two traffic lanes immediately to their right.

Safely Passing A Truck

Trucks often travel at slightly reduced speeds compared to the rest of traffic. This is especially true on large highways and interstates. A faster moving passenger car has the right to pass a truck, but this must be done carefully.

Note that passing a truck is different than passing a car or SUV. Not only are a truck’s blind spots larger than those of a normal car, but trucks can’t adjust their speeds as easily.

Keep these important safety tips in mind for safely passing large trucks:

• Be sure you can see the truck driver in their mirror – If you can see the driver in their side mirror, they can see you. They are supposed to be constantly checking their mirrors for any car that might be about to enter their blind spot.
• Use your blinker – Ohio law states that you must use your blinker when making a lane change as you pass someone. This not only informs others of your intent, but it makes them more likely to notice you.
• Give the truck enough room – Trucks weigh a lot and take a long time to come to slow down when they are traveling at a high rate of speed. Before turning back in front of a truck, give it much more room than you would for an ordinary passenger car.

Drive Patiently and Remain Focused

A truck cannot adjust its speed or direction as quickly as a small car. Swerving at a high speed is a very dangerous practice when you are trying to get around a slow moving truck. It’s also important that you understand that trucks take longer to make basic turns.

Tractor trailers have a difficult time making a sharp turn, and this generally requires that they go very slowly as they attempt a wide turn. A truck making a sharp right turn on a city street may have to first turn a little to the left before navigating right. Be sure to stay back and give a turning truck enough room.

All drivers must remain free of unnecessary distractions behind the wheel. This is especially true when we are near large trucks. These vehicles are very complex, and often have to undertake maneuvers that passenger cars do not perform.

Teen drivers are all too often distracted by their phones or passengers, and this causes many serious car accidents in Ohio every year. It’s especially important to be alert when driving alongside a large truck.

Call the Truck Accident Lawyers at KNR

Teen drivers are especially vulnerable to serious truck accidents. They are more likely to be distracted and lack the necessary experience to compensate for reckless actions of a negligent truck driver. It’s important for young drivers to be aware of the dangers posed when they drive near a truck. Do not hesitate to contact a skilled Ohio personal injury lawyer if you or your child were injured in a truck accident.

Kisling, Nestico & Redick has decades of experience investigating truck accidents and helping victims as they recover. Truck accidents are much more complex than those that only involve passenger cars. Trucks have many more moving parts, and there is significant state and federal law that applies to these collisions.

To speak with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer today, call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW .