How to Avoid Truck Right-Hand Turns?
The wide right turns that large trucks make are difficult to maneuver. They require more room to turn than cars, and truck drivers often need to swing out into the left lane before turning right. Then they can move back into the right lane again to complete their turn safely.
(Looking for “lawyer collision damage“? Contact us Today!)
The first step to avoiding a right-hand turn crash is to know the dangers of these wide turns. These crashes involve a variety of hazards that can result in injury or death to both vehicles and pedestrians.
Truck right-hand turn accidents are typically caused by a truck driver failing to use good technique when turning. This may include failing to activate a turn signal, swinging too far into the left lane, bringing the rear of the truck too close to the curb, and not using the mirrors properly to manage the space around the truck.
Bad techniques are usually the result of improperly functioning turn signals, dirty or obstructed mirrors, and poor visibility due to big truck blind spots. The best practice is to have fender-mounted mirrors and check them regularly for alignment and cleanliness before leaving on any trip.
Inoperable turn signals, dirty or obstructed side mirrors and insufficient glare protection can all increase the risk of a truck driver’s failure to use proper technique during a right-hand turn. A truck’s limited visibility and obstructive weather conditions can also cause drivers to miss objects on the road or in the intersection they are turning into.
Swinging too far into the left lane before making a right turn can lead to head-on collisions, swerving off the road, and colliding with other vehicles or fixed objects in the intersection. The resulting damage can be devastating to both the truck and the other vehicle.
A truck’s higher center of gravity can increase the chances of a rollover accident when a driver is turning too wide. If the vehicle tips over, it can cause serious injuries or even fatalities to those in the vehicle.
The second way that truck right-hand turns can be dangerous is if a trucker swings into the left lane too soon before making their turn. This can cause them to hit the abutting truck in the oncoming lane. The abutting truck can then hit the oncoming vehicle, causing them both to crash and injure their passengers or other people on the road.
Avoiding these maneuvers can help prevent a lot of accidents in the future. The key is to wait until all traffic has cleared before moving into the left lane.
Trying to pass on the right before a truck turns can put your vehicle in the driver’s blind spot of the truck and cause you to get crushed by the trailer. This can be a very scary situation for you and the other motorists on the road.
Another common hazard of right-hand turns is that other drivers can squeeze into the lane to the side of the truck. This is especially likely when the other driver is attempting to make a wide turn in a narrow lane.