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Campaign to help teens stay safe around trucks

On Behalf of | Dec 7, 2022 | Truck Accidents

A recent campaign in Virginia highlights the dangers teenage drivers face when sharing the road with trucks. The education it provides is equally applicable to Louisiana or any other state.

Teenage drivers have a much higher than average crash risk. It’s mainly due to their lack of experience on the road, but lack of general life experience will also play a role as teenagers lack the wisdom that comes with age.

The campaign highlights how in 80% of fatal truck crashes it is someone in the smaller vehicle that dies – not the truck driver. What’s more, in 78% of the cases the research team examined, the fault lay with the driver of the smaller vehicle.

Why is teaching teens these two facts crucial?

If you teach teens just how dangerous trucks can be, they will hopefully take extra care when driving near them. Here are two of the ways to reduce the risk of a truck crash:

1. Do not assume the truck driver has seen you

Semitrucks have massive blind spots, so there is a higher-than-average chance that someone driving one won’t spot you. Learning where the blind spots are is crucial to avoiding sitting in them.

2. Understand that it takes a long time to stop a truck

Overtaking a truck requires a lot of time and room. There must be a large gap in front of the truck for you to pull back into, as they cannot just slam on the brakes and let you in.

If you have a teenage driver in your family, sharing this information could help them to stay safe. Yet, it can never eliminate the risk of a truck crash. Truck drivers make mistakes all the time. If one injures you or your loved one, you will need help to hold them to account.

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