How to Prevent Car Theft
How common is car theft? According to estimates from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there were more than 745,000 motor vehicle thefts in the first nine months of 2022 in...
Read more about How to Prevent Car TheftWho doesn’t get a little edgy driving near a semi on the highway or sharing the road with cyclists? More than 250,000 accidents between passenger cars and 18-wheelers happen each year – with auto drivers contributing to over 70% of the crashes.
Many of these collisions could be avoided – and fears reduced – if car drivers knew how to share the road safely.
Driving near and passing an 18-wheeler is different than sharing the road with a standard-sized vehicle. Since the truck is bigger:
When passing a truck, maintain a safe and steady speed, keeping the cab of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front of it. Pass on the left to maximize visibility and ensure there’s enough space between your car and the truck when you merge back over.
If a truck attempts to pass you, reduce your speed slightly to make it easier for the truck to get around your vehicle.
Never pass behind a truck preparing to back up or is backing up. Otherwise, you may enter a blind spot for you and the trucker.
When turning right, some trucks must first swing left to negotiate the turn. As a result, they can’t see cars directly behind or beside them, so cutting to the right of the turning truck can cause an accident.
When driving near a truck, don’t use your bright headlights. The truck’s large side mirrors reflect brights into the driver’s eyes causing temporary blindness.
The U.S. Department of Transportation ranked the most unsafe driving acts for car drivers to engage in when trucks are nearby:
Safe driving starts with mutual respect and consideration among all parties on the road. Motorists and cyclists share the same rights and must develop an understanding about safe driving practices. Just because a car is physically larger than a bicycle does not mean its driver is more entitled to the road than the cyclist—and just because a bicycle is more nimble than a car doesn’t mean its operator can bypass basic laws.
The following are safety recommendations for automobile drivers and bicyclists, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists and SafetyXChange, an online community in which ideas about safety practices are shared. The group’s advisory board includes John Henshaw, former head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Smaller vehicles like bikes can stop quickly and abruptly. At night, they’re more difficult to see, even with reflectors and headlights, so it’s challenging to determine your distance. Err on the side of caution.
Cyclists often require both hands to control the bike, so they sometimes can’t use hand signals when turning. Be prepared for unexpected shifts.
When it’s clear to pass, allow plenty of room in case the cyclist strays from his or her lane. Many state laws specify at least three feet of clearance.
Cyclists have the same rights to the road as drivers, regardless of their speed.
Learn your state traffic rules and abide by them. You have the same right to the road as cars, and you also must practice the same responsibilities and follow local traffic codes. That means obeying traffic signals and stop signs. (The League keeps a searchable database of Smart Cycling classes here.)
Wear bright colors and use reflective devices and safety flags. For the front of your bike, white lights work well. For the back, try a red light.
Fatalities often occur because a bike is too large or small for the cyclist to control.
Intentionally crowding the lane may unnerve a motorist. When riding as a group, form a single-file line instead of cruising side-by-side. Don’t ride on sidewalks, which are for pedestrians.
Try to stay in a straight line. Signal your turns when you can, and check behind you before turning or changing lanes.
Never, ever ride without a helmet.
When you share the road with a big rig or a nimble bike, knowing dangers and how to address them can ease your fears and reduce your odds of an accident. Check out even more safe driving tips from Nationwide to make sure you’re as protected on the road as possible.