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Top 5 Safety Driving Habits to Avoid an 18 Wheeler Accident

It is never an easy task to drive an 18 wheeler. It is difficult to control. And in roads fraught with excessive traffic, there is every chance of an accident. With the 18-wheelers being extremely heavy, the impacts of these accidents are severe in most of the times. These can cause the gravest of injuries or can even result in death. There might be a number of reasons behind in an 18 wheeler accident. But one of the most common among them involve the mistakes committed by the driver. And that's quite expected because being huge in size and almost 40 tons in weight when fully loaded, it's not an easy task to control the 18 wheelers.

18 Wheeler Accident

The accidents involving the 18 wheelers are many even these days.

So, how can you avoid them?

Here are a few tips that can help you drive the 18 wheelers in a safe manner.

Give Your Vehicle Enough Space

Did you know that an 18 wheeler requires as much as 40% more distance than any ordinary vehicle to come to a stop? So, it is quite obvious that you will need to give it space. While driving, if you come to a sudden stop, it might not halt right at the place where you had applied the brakes. You need to keep this in mind while driving. So, you should keep a proper amount of distance between the 18 wheeler and the vehicle just in front of it. This ensures that even if you have to apply a sudden brake, the 18 wheeler will get some amount of time to come to a stop. Thus, there won't be any chance of hitting the vehicle in front of it and causing a damage to it.

Don't Resort to Aggressive Driving

Are you an aggressive driver? Then you run the chance of meeting an accident with your 18 wheeler. That's surely not something that you desire. It has been observed that more than half of the accidents occur due to such a habit. So, it's always better to do away with the habit of aggressive driving. You should always avoid:

  • Speeding beyond limits
  • Driving on the shoulder
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Tailgating
  • Taking the vehicle on the sidewalk or median

You should never ever run a traffic signal. It is always important to stop at the right time to avoid accidents.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcZ4CyhwfAU]

Check the Vehicle's Condition before Hitting the Road

It has been observed that a lot of road accidents are caused due to the negligence of the companies in maintaining their vehicles. So, if you are a driver, you might face such a problem when you take the vehicle on the road. The best way to avoid this is to check the vehicle before you start. You should have a look at the tires and see whether they are in good conditions. Moreover, you should also check every part possible of the vehicle. It is essential to do before you hit the road, so that no mishap occurs.

Drive Carefully at Dangerous Stretches

There might be areas where it is difficult to control any vehicle. More so for 18 wheelers. So, you should slow down in those areas and ensure that you have complete control over the vehicle you are driving. Moreover, it is also essential for you to fasten the seatbelt properly. It can help you to avoid any serious injury in case the 18 wheeler faces a minor accident. It is essential to follow these safety habits while driving to ensure that you are not involved in any fatal 18 wheeler accident.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the major causes of an 18 wheeler accident. So, concentrate properly while driving. Keep your focus on the road and the vehicle. Do not fall prey to leisurely thoughts while driving. Remember, it is always better to be safe at the beginning than to be sorry at the end. So, try to avoid distracted driving to remain safe on the road. Be alert and avoid accidents.

Even in case you meet with an accident despite proper driving, you should always seek help from an 18 wheeler accident attorney to get the best compensation and other facilities.

Shared by texas-truckaccidentlawyer.com

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