When Sharing The Road With Large Trucks and Buses Follow These Tips

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Sharing the road with large trucks and buses is very different from driving near a passenger car, and many motorists don’t adjust their behavior. Below are some safety tips designed to help you avoid becoming involved in an accident with a semi or bus.

Table of Contents

Maintain a safe following distance
Be aware of blind spots
Pass safely and swiftly
Be mindful of wide turns
Be patient and considerate
Stay alert and focused

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, maintaining a safe following distance is essential for your safety. These larger vehicles require more time and distance to stop due to their size and weight, so staying too close can increase the risk of a collision. Keeping a safe gap allows you more time to react to sudden stops or hazards ahead and gives the commercial vehicle driver or bus driver better visibility of the roadway. Practicing this cautious distance helps prevent accidents and ensures a safer driving experience for everyone on the roadway.

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, it’s crucial to be aware of their blind spots—areas around the vehicle where the driver’s visibility is limited or nonexistent. These blind spots can be much larger than those of regular passenger cars, making it easy for a commercial vehicle driver or bus driver to miss seeing nearby vehicles. To stay safe, avoid lingering alongside or directly behind these vehicles for extended periods. Being mindful of blind spots helps prevent accidents by ensuring the driver can see you and respond appropriately to traffic conditions.

3. Pass safely and quickly

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, it’s important to pass them safely and quickly to minimize the time spent in their blind spots and reduce the risk of an accident. Large vehicles have limited visibility, and lingering alongside them can put you in danger if the driver doesn’t see your vehicle. By passing quickly—but carefully—you give both yourself and the semi or bus driver more time and space to react to traffic conditions ahead. Practicing safe and efficient passing helps keep everyone on the road safer.

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, it’s important to be mindful of their wide turns. These vehicles often need extra space to safely navigate corners and intersections, sometimes swinging into adjacent lanes to complete the turn. Staying aware of this and giving them plenty of room can prevent accidents caused by sudden movements or tight turns. By anticipating their turning patterns and keeping a safe distance, you help ensure your safety and the safety of everyone on the roadway.

5. Be patient and considerate

It’s important to be patient and considerate while driving around tractor trailers and buses. These vehicles are bigger and heavier, which means they take longer to accelerate, brake, and maneuver. Rushing or trying to cut them off can create dangerous situations for everyone. By staying calm, giving them plenty of space, and understanding the challenges they face on the roadway, you contribute to a safer driving environment for all. Patience and respect go a long way in preventing accidents and keeping traffic flowing smoothly.

6. Stay alert and focused

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, staying alert and focused is essential for your safety. These vehicles have different driving dynamics and limited visibility, so it’s important to pay close attention to their movements, signals, and speed. Avoid distractions like using your phone or adjusting controls while driving near them. Keeping your eyes on the roadway and anticipating their actions—such as lane changes or wide turns—helps you react quickly and maintain a safe distance. Staying fully engaged behind the wheel ensures you can navigate safely around big commercial vehicles and buses at all times.

7. Pay attention to weather conditions

It’s also important to pay close attention to weather conditions. Rain, snow, fog, high winds and ice can significantly affect the handling and stopping distances of these large vehicles, making driving more challenging for both the big rig driver or bus driver and everyone around them. By staying alert to changing weather and adjusting your speed and following distance accordingly, you help create a safer environment on the roadway. Being cautious and responsive to weather conditions reduces the risk of accidents and keeps all drivers protected.

Fatal truck crashes involving passenger vehicles

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) “Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2017,” which provides the most up-to-date crash data available, reports the following for 2013-2017 across the country:

Fatal truck crashes involving passenger vehicles increased from 26,024 to 29,769
Passenger vehicles involved in fatal truck crashes increased from 34,886 to 41,017
Passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal truck crashes increased from 21,224 to 23,551

(Source: FMCSA, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, 2017 edition, Trends Table 5 Passenger Vehicle Fatal Crash Statistics)

Similarly, Michigan Traffic Crash Facts report the following about Michigan truck crashes involving passenger vehicles between 2014 and 2017:

Total crashes increased from 9,070 to 9,862
Fatal crashes increased from 68 to 72
Injury crashes increased from 1,897 to 2,285

(Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2014-2017, Vehicle/Driver, Heavy Truck, “Vehicle Types Involved in Crash with Heavy Truck/Bus”)

When sharing the road with large trucks and buses, following these important safety tips can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and help create a safer driving environment for yourself and others. Safety experts stress that understanding the unique challenges posed by large vehicles—such as their size, limited maneuverability, and blind spots—and adjusting your driving habits accordingly is essential to preventing collisions. By staying cautious, patient, and attentive around trucks and buses, you not only protect your own safety but also contribute to smoother traffic flow and safer roadways for everyone.

Injured in a crash and need a lawyer? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law for a free consultation!

If you were injured in an accident in Michigan while you were sharing the road with a large truck or bus, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

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When Sharing The Road With Large Trucks and Buses Follow These Tips