The Art of Defensive Driving When Traveling Near Big Trucks and Buses in West Virginia

Trucks are still the number one way that most goods move around West Virginia and the United States.  Tractor trailers haul just about everything from eggs and butter to printers and iPhones. Buses are also an integral part of everyday life for many, especially for those who commute to work or school by bus.

Unfortunately, each year over 90,000 large trucks and buses in the U.S. are involved in crashes that result in injury or death, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In other words, every single day, about 250 commercial trucks and buses are involved in accidents that cause injury or death. There are also over 340,000 commercial truck crashes every year involving property damage only. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you avoid a big truck or bus crash.

Five Steps to Safety When Sharing West Virginia Roads with Big Trucks and Buses

Blind Spots – Stay Out Of Them

Large trucks and buses have major blinds spots around the vehicle.  Specifically, trucks and buses have blinds spots: 

• 20 feet in front of the vehicle because of the vehicle’s height
• 30 feet behind the vehicle because the side view mirrors are partially blocked by the length of the vehicle
• 1 lane directly to the vehicle’s left
• 2 lanes to the vehicle’s right

Now that you know where big truck and bus blinds spots are, try to stay out of those blinds spots as much as possible by slowing down or temporarily speeding up.  Staying visible to the truck driver is important: A good rule of thumb is that ‘if you can’t see them, they can’t see you.’  Put another way, if you can’t see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, assume the driver cannot see you.

Safely Pass a Large Truck or Bus

Here are four steps that can help you safely pass a large truck or bus:

• Minimize the truck driver’s blind spots: Before passing, be sure that you can see the driver in the mirror.  That way, you know that you are not in a blind spot.
• Signal clearly, then move into the left lane and accelerate.
• Accelerate so that you can pass the truck or bus safely and promptly.  Try not to linger in the large vehicle’s blind spot. Thus, it’s important to time your passing when you can pass the truck or bus as quickly as possible. Don’t try to pass when there’s another vehicle ahead of you blocking your passing.
• Allow for plenty of space before returning to lane the truck or bus is in because of the truck driver’s blind spots and slow stopping distance.

In addition to those steps, there are a few other things to keep in mind.  Try not to pass a truck or bus on a downgrade.  Heavy trucks and buses tend to pick up speed downhill.  Also, never pass from the right lane.  As you can see above, large vehicles have more of a blind spot on their right side.

If a truck or bus is passing you, slow down a little and give the vehicle plenty of room, which will minimize the time you are in the vehicle’s blind spot.

Avoid Cutting Off A Bus or Truck

As you are likely aware, cutting in front of a truck or bus too closely is a dangerous move.  If you are in the driver’s blind spot, then cutting right in front of a truck will surprise the driver and might cause a crash.  Moreover, not giving enough space in front of a bus or truck may not allow the driver to slow down in time, given that large vehicles require more stopping space.

Hang Back A Little

There is some “pseudo-driving-science” that says that if you tailgate a truck you will save on fuel because the truck takes away any wind resistance.  While that might seem interesting for a physics lesson, hanging back from a truck on the road will you help you avoid a big truck crash.  Being right behind a truck or bus puts in you in that vehicle’s blind spot, and thus if you fail to stop in time you could be in deadly danger.  Also, stopping close behind a truck could be perilous when the truck and you are stopped on an upgrade.  The bus or truck may roll back.

Anticipate Wide Turns

Trucks and buses swing wide on turns.  As you have surely seen, some trucks will initiate a turn from the middle of the road to make sure that the entire trailer will negotiate the turn without hitting the curb. So, if a truck has a turn signal on, you should never try to get between the truck and the curb.  A breathless attempt to squeeze past a turning truck will not end well.

Reminders of the Fundamentals of Safe Driving in West Virginia

Like all great coaches and athletes know, fundamentals are the keys to success. This is equally true for traveling safely in West Virginia. Although you already know the fundamentals, reminders are sometimes helpful. The fundamentals of safe, defensive driving include:

• Always wear your seat belt
• Keep first things first: Stay focused on driving when driving
• Avoid drowsy or impaired driving
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely
• Follow the rules of the road

Get a Free Consultation with an Experienced  West Virginia Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a West Virginia car, truck or bus accident due to the carelessness of another driver, we invite you to contact the West Law Firm for a Free Consultation.  We provide the highest quality legal services and will work with passion and skill to get you the best possible outcome for your case.  Call us today at 1-877-943-9378 (WEST).

Brooks West, Esq.

Brooks West is a personal injury lawyer, founder, and President of West Law Firm. He has been helping those wrongfully injured in West Virginia for almost two decades. The results and service he provides his clients have earned him membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Brooks is most proud of the many 5-star reviews he has received from satisfied clients.