Your chances of survival are far less if you collide with a truck than any other vehicle. Hence, if you have the choice of two routes, one with a lot of trucks and one without, it may be wise to choose the latter.
This is not always possible, of course, and even when it is, time restrictions might cause you to take the route the 18-wheelers prefer. So, how can you stay safe if you want to drive alongside them? Asking yourself these two questions can help:
Can the truck driver see you?
Most truckers do their best to watch out for smaller vehicles. Yet they need to contend with massive blindspots, and if you are close to the big rig, there’s a good chance you are invisible to the guy or girl at the wheel.
If traveling behind a truck, a good rule of thumb is that if you cannot see yourself in their wing mirror, the driver can’t see you. Staying well back also reduces the risk you go under the back of the trailer if they brake suddenly.
Do you have time to overtake?
People often underestimate just how long it takes to pass. If you are not 100% certain you can do so safely and pull back in front a safe distance ahead of the truck, then do not risk it, but wait. Many roads have places designed to let you pass.
Asking yourself those questions can reduce the chance of a truck crash, but you can never eliminate it entirely. If a truck injures you, seek legal help to claim compensation.