Louisiana Teens Are Told to Beware of Large Trucks

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving tractor-trailer and other large truck safety on North America's roads.

Recognizing the importance of what it calls "the Wheels of Commerce" for the nation's economy, the CVSA also realizes how passenger car drivers, and especially young drivers, often put themselves in harm's way when they fail to understand the characteristics of large trucks.

Why do teens often fail to appreciate the dangers of large trucks?
For all the attention on truck driver fatigue and motor carriers disregarding safety regulations, the truth is that over two-thirds of truck-passenger car accidents are caused by passenger car drivers.

Young drivers in Louisiana are particularly prone to make mistakes leading to serious tractor-trailer crashes. There are several reasons for this:

• A fully loaded 18-wheeler weighs up to 80,000 lbs. and requires a far greater distance to come to a stop than a passenger car. Cutting in front of a large truck can be lethal; if the traffic stops or slows down in front of you, you are very likely to be crushed by the rear-ending truck.
• Large trucks do have large blind zones. In most cases when you are driving alongside or behind a truck, the truck driver doesn't know you are there and could change lanes or make a turn that would bring you on a collision course. Don't drive close to a truck for an extended period of time; slow down or accelerate to move your vehicle away.
• Driving at the rear of a tractor-trailer is dangerous for two reasons: One, you don't see anything ahead of you, and won't notice that traffic is slowing down until it's too late; and two, a rear-ending crash with a trailer could result in a deadly underride crash, where you car is crushed underneath the trailer.
• Semi-trailer trucks take wide turns, and need to first swing in one direction before turning in the opposite direction. When a truck signals an intention to turn, stay away from it as much as possible.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle accident caused by someone else, contact the New Orleans accident attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE discussion of your case. Order our FREE lawyer book now: "A Guide To Steering Through a Serious Vehicle Accident in Louisiana."