Why Some Roads are More Dangerous for Trucks

Commercial vehicles pose a very real risk to other road users, not only because they are so large, but because they are generally much harder to maneuver than passenger vehicles. For instance, they take a lot longer to come to a stop, make extremely wide turns, and have large blind spots, all of which make our chances of being involved in a collision with this type of vehicle a lot higher than we would like, especially on certain types of roads.

Roads with Higher Traffic Density 

Generally, the busier a road is, the higher the chances of being involved in a collision. This is true regardless of the size or type of the vehicles. However, collisions with commercial vehicles do tend to occur most often on roads where there is a lot of traffic, as it is much harder for a truck to quickly come to a stop if something changes abruptly. When vehicles are so close together, it’s also more likely that a motorist will have to drive in a truck’s blind spot, which is extremely dangerous. Interstates and highways with rush hour traffic and multi-lane roads often end up being the site of many collisions between commercial vehicles and smaller passenger cars for these reasons.

Roads with High Speed Limits 

Higher speed limits, while they may reduce traffic, also make it a lot harder for drivers to control their vehicles. This becomes very apparent on interstates with higher speed limits, where trucks are often unable to come to a stop in time to avoid a crash. This is why it’s so important for drivers to leave adequate space between themselves and any nearby commercial vehicles, especially when driving on the interstate. Taking precautionary steps to avoid being involved in a high speed crash is of the utmost importance, especially when those crashes involve a commercial vehicle that could weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds.

Intersections with Poor Visibility and Inadequate Space 

Interstates are not the only types of roads where collisions with commercial vehicles are more likely to occur. Intersections, for instance, are also notorious for being the site of many truck accidents, most of which can be linked in some way to a lack of visibility, with trucks making turns where they cannot see traffic around the corner. Small intersections with single lanes of traffic also don’t leave adequate room for the types of wide turns that trucks make, further increasing the chances of a collision.

Schedule a Meeting with One of Our Experienced Tulsa Truck Accident Attorneys Today

By remaining aware of the risks of traveling on certain roadways, motorists can help reduce their chances of being involved in a truck accident. Unfortunately, even the most careful of drivers could end up hurt in just such a crash. If this happened to you or a loved one, you are likely facing mounting medical debt, debilitating injuries, and an uncertain future. Let the experienced Tulsa truck accident lawyers at Levinson Law, P.C. help by calling 918-492-4433 and setting up a free case review today.

Sources: 

fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-blind-spots

news9.com/story/5e3681c52f69d76f62096283/five-of-the-ten-most-dangerous-intersections-in-oklahoma-are-in-tulsa