When driving through most parts of Illinois, you’re likely to encounter a semi-truck at some point on your journey. These huge vehicles make up a large portion of automobiles on the roads, transporting tons and tons of goods each day.
However, semi-trucks also present a significant danger to other drivers on the road, and exercising extra caution while driving around them can help you and your loved ones avoid a serious accident.
Why Are Trucks Dangerous?
An empty semi-truck can weigh around 35,000 pounds, while a semi-truck with a full load can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A collision with one of these massive vehicles can be fatal for someone driving in a regular sized car. Statistics show that approximately 4,950 people died from large-truck crashes in 2018, a 46 percent increase over the last decade.
What Causes These Accidents?
Due to their large size, semi-trucks can be difficult to operate and have different standards when it comes to road behavior. Some of the main causes of semitruck-involved accidents include:
- Driver fatigue – truck drivers work long hours and can grow tired behind the wheel
- Distractions – both car and truck drivers can fall subject to distractions on the road from using their cell phones to daydreaming
- Large blind spots – semi-trucks have particularly large blind spots due to their size which can span up to 20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, one lane behind the drivers’ side mirror and two lanes behind the passenger side mirror
These are just a few of the more common causes of accidents involving semi-trucks. Being aware of these potential causes and practicing extra safe driving around these trucks may help you avoid one of these serious crashes.