Boulder Trucking Accident & Injury Lawyer

Colorado Driver Safety

Truck drivers have a huge responsibly to act carefully and responsibly at all times when behind the wheel. Because their vehicles have such a high potential to cause death and injury to others when involved in accidents, it is very important that they follow traffic laws and safety guidelines to protect themselves and others on the roads of Boulder & Longmont. At The Law Office of Edward Smith, we want to do everything we can to ensure the safety of all drivers and passengers on Colorado highways so we have included some valuable safety tips here that all truck drivers and all vehicle drivers and passengers should be aware of:

Drivers of passenger vehicles:

Be extra alert as you approach a large truck. They behave very differently from cars.
Avoid blind spots around trucks. If you can't see a truck's side mirrors, the truck driver can't see you. One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in the blind spots around a truck.
Do not pass a truck on the right while the truck is turning right. Trucks must swing wide to the left to negotiate right turns safely, as the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels.
Do not cut in front of any large vehicle, including a truck or a bus. Since they require much more distance to stop in comparison to cars, forcing a large vehicle to stop quickly can result in a fatal accident.
Use the proper procedure to pass a large truck or bus on the highway. Accelerate slightly and maintain a consistent speed while passing. Wait until you can see the entire cab in your rear-view mirror before signaling and pulling in front of it.
Observe a truck's turn signals before trying to pass it. If the truck appears to be starting a left turn, check which way the driver is signaling before passing the truck on the right.
Give trucks at least four to six seconds of space in wet conditions and at highway speeds.
Call authorities if you see unsafe driving.
Do not cut off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach your exit or turn.

Truck drivers:

Take care of yourself - Get plenty of rest before driving. Eat well and stay fit. Driver fatigue and lack of attention can significantly increase your risk of a crash. Hours of service violations are serious and can threaten your livelihood or even your life. Stay healthy and well rested, or don't drive!
Slow down in work zones - Watch out for highway construction. Stay alert. Almost one-third of work zone fatal crashes involved large trucks. Most of these crashes occurred during the day. Take your time going through work zones. Give yourself plenty of room, and expect the unexpected.
Be aware of your “no zone” - Other drivers may not be aware of the size of your blind spots.
One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in the No-Zone areas around a truck. Adjust your mirrors and be vigilant in watching out for vehicles in the No-Zone.
Keep your distance - Always leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. In rear-end collisions, regardless of the situation, if you hit someone from behind, you are considered "at fault." Large trucks, given their mass, have much greater stopping distances than 4-wheelers. Take advantage of your driving height, and anticipate hard braking situations.
Maintain your vehicle - It can save your life. Inspect your vehicle before each trip, and check your brakes regularly. Brake defects are the most frequently cited out-of-service inspection violation. Learn how to inspect your brakes, identify safety defects, and get them repaired before risking your life, and others, on the highway.
Drive Defensively - Avoid aggressive drivers and maintain a safe speed. Two-thirds of all traffic fatalities may be caused by aggressive driving behaviors. Keep your distance and maintain a safe speed. The only thing excessive speed increases is your chance for a crash.

Contact a Boulder Trucking Accident Lawyer at The Law Office of Edward Smith today for legal representation you can count on!