During the Holiday Season, everyone wants to be surrounded by their loved ones. However, sometimes our families are farther than a short drive away. Since we are approaching the busiest season for travel, it is extremely important to stay safe on the roadways.

As we pack up our families to travel so we can spend the holidays with relatives and friends, keep in mind that we are sharing the road with truck drivers transporting cargo to reach their destinations also in time for the holidays. During this busy time of year, there is an increase in tractor-trailers on the road carrying their Holiday deliveries to keep stores fully stocked for the hectic year-end shopping season.

We all know living in Central New York that winter weather can slow travel and produce slick roadway conditions often leading to accidents. Tractor-trailer accidents are extremely dangerous and can lead to life-altering injuries or even death. Nevertheless, there are ways to prevent these often tragic accidents:

1. Always watch out for blind spots!

Trucks have larger blind spots than a typical motor vehicle. Be sure you are able to see the truck’s side mirrors. If you cannot, they most likely can’t see you.

2. Always keep a safe distance!

Trucks are often unpredictable. They take longer to speed up and often travel slower on steep inclines, and can even roll backward if stopped on a hill. Maintaining a safe distance of about 20 car lengths while behind a tractor-trailer is recommended to ensure the safety of your vehicle’s occupants.

3. Always follow the speed limit!

Speeding anytime is dangerous. However, speeding in treacherous weather conditions with heavier traffic patterns is even more hazardous. The best way to drive defensively is to stay within the speed limit.

4. If you have an emergency, always pull all the way off the road as quickly and safely as possible!

If your vehicle becomes compromised, be sure to pull off the road as far as possible. Turn your hazard lights on to warn those at a distance.

5. Never cut off a tractor-trailer!

It can be frustrating when you are in a rush and a tractor-trailer is going slow or blocking part of the roadway, however, remember they can measure up to 48 feet long and need to take their time when backing up their vehicle. So be patient and wait until you can safely pass them.

6. Never prevent a tractor-trailer from merging or changing lanes!

Tractor-trailers are large and need a lot of room to merge lanes, so if you see a tractor-trailer trying to merge, slow down and let them over instead of trying to speed past them.

7. Never participate in road rage!

Many car accidents could have been prevented with a cooler head. Do not drive aggressively even if you believe a tractor-trailer is doing so or has cut you off. Road rage only increases the chances of motor vehicle accidents.

We hope these safety tips can help you make safe decisions while on the roadways during this busy travel season. Stay alert and focused on the road and the other drivers around you, especially nearby tractor-trailers. It takes everyone working together to make the roads a safer place for automobile and tractor-trailer drivers. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer, you need to find a knowledgeable attorney that has experience with trucking accidents. Please feel free to call Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi, and Pearlman for a free consultation today.

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Tags: Truck Accidents