When you’re driving, one thing you need to do is to stay focused on what’s happening around you. Depending on the kinds of vehicles that you’re around, you may need to adapt your driving style can come up with habits that keep you safe in strenuous conditions.
When you’re around many large trucks, it’s normal to be frustrated by the lack of space that you’ll have. You may also worry that they’ll hit you because the drivers can’t see you or that they won’t have enough time to stop when they’re traveling behind you and you need to brake.
The good news is that there are some habits you can build to stay safer. Here are three.
- Stay out of blind spots
The first thing to do to avoid injuries is to stay out of truckers’ blind spots. Don’t drive alongside the truck or follow too close behind. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, the driver likely cannot see you.
- Don’t cut off other drivers
Another thing to remember is that you should never cut off another driver. If the driver isn’t going quickly enough or is driving oddly, wait until you can pass them safely instead of trying to pull in front of them when there isn’t’ much room. Put enough distance between your vehicle and theirs that they can slow down if you have to put on your brakes. Remember, large trucks can’t slow down quickly.
- Stay off your phone
Finally, stay off your cellphone. Even though you may think it’s safe to chat on the phone or to use it hands-free, you need to stay focused on the road. If you see that the other drivers are going out of their lanes or otherwise driving recklessly, call 911 to alert the police.
These are a few habits you can use to stay safer on the roads. If you avoid distractions, give truck drivers enough space and avoid blind spots, you’ll greatly reduce your risk of being involved in a crash.