Few
people think about getting into an accident when they sit behind the wheel. After
all, if you stopped to worry about every possible scenario, you might not make
it out of the driveway. Yet, there are certain safety precautions that every driver
should be aware of, especially when traveling on bustling city streets or busy
highways.
Be aware of larger vehicles
When driving on the highway you are at a serious disadvantage if involved in a
crash with a larger vehicle. In order to keep you and your family safe when driving
around trucks, you should be extra cautious.
Here are a few ways to minimize injuries according to the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration:
Cutting in front can cut your life short - If you cut in front of another
vehicle, you may create an emergency-braking situation for the vehicles around
you, especially in heavy traffic.
Trucks and buses take much longer to stop in comparison to cars. If you force
a larger vehicle to stop quickly this could cause a serious, even fatal accident.
Watch your blind spots - Large trucks have blind spots, or "No-Zones," around
the front, back and sides of the truck. A truck could even turn into you, because
these areas make it difficult for the driver to see. So, don’t hang out in the
"No-Zones," and remember, if you can’t see the driver in the truck’s mirror, then
he or she probably can’t see you.
Avoid squeeze play - Be careful of trucks and buses making wide right turns.
If you try to get in between the truck and the curb, you’ll be caught in a "squeeze"
and can cause a serious accident.
Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate
at right turn, especially in urban areas. They can’t see cars directly behind
or beside them. Pay attention to truck signals and give them lots of room to maneuver.
On city streets
City driving requires a completely different style of defensive driving than highway
driving. More street signs, narrower roads and a greater concentration of people
require a driver to always be aware of the surroundings.
Be an attentive driver - Inattentive drivers can be very dangerous when they
drive slowly or ignore signals and create an emergency-braking situation. Young
children running into the street, lights from stores along city roads and a host
of other distractions could catch a driver’s attention. When you are driving,
focus only on the road.
Avoid aggressive drivers - These people put themselves and others at risk
with their driving style.
Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, and pulling out of parking spots
quickly or in front of buses can create dangerous situations. It may also lead
to road rage for the aggressive driver or for others sharing the road.
Use common sense
On all roads across the country remember to drive safely and courteously. Always
buckle your seat belt - your best protection in the case of a crash. And never
drink and drive.
