Florida truck accidents cost far too many lives. In addition to fatalities, trucking accidents cause serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and other injuries. While truck drivers and carriers are responsible for ensuring that drivers and trucks are safe, there are also a number of things that motorists can do to make the highways and roads of Florida safer for trucks and motorists:
1) Use extra caution around trucks. Driving around trucks is not the same as driving around smaller vehicles. Large, heavy trucks take longer to slow down, for example. When driving behind a large truck, consider giving them extra room to brake safely. Don’t cut trucks off or brake suddenly in front of them; they may not be able to stop in time to prevent an accident. Also, keep in mind that large trucks making a turn require more space.
2) Report unsafe trucks on the road. If you see a truck driver driving erratically, making unsafe lane changes, or displaying unsafe driving behaviours, call your local authorities at once to report the truck. Many trucks also have a toll-free number prominently displayed that allows you to contact the carrier owning the truck. Getting an unsafe truck off the road can prevent an accident.
3) Write to your congressperson to promote safer trucking laws. Consider writing to your congressperson to ask for stricter laws and penalties for trucks that break the law. Currently, trucks that are dangerously over weight limits only have to pay a small fee. Ask for stricter controls and laws.
4) Support advocacy groups dedicated to making the truck industry safer. Some groups raise awareness about trucking accidents and lobby the government to change trucking laws and regulations. Your support will help these groups get tougher laws passed.
5) Never stay in a truck’s blind spots. Most trucks have large blind spots and drivers may not be able to see cars behind them or right beside them. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the driver, the driver likely cannot see you. If you cannot see a truck’s driver, get out of the blind spot so that they can see you and make eye contact to ensure that the driver can indeed see you.