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Call Us

253-245-5455

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Email Us

dispatch@proenviro247.com

Auburn, WA

Suite C, 420 H St NW
Auburn, WA 98001
253-245-5455

Maple Valley, WA

Suite C, 23933 SE 264th Street
Maple Valley, WA 98038
253-856-3312

Spokane, WA

Suite C, 5815 W Thorpe Rd
Spokane, WA 99224
509-571-9003

N

Call Us

253-245-5455

N

Email Us

dispatch@proenviro247.com

Auburn, WA

Suite C, 420 H St NW
Auburn, WA 98001
253-245-5455

Maple Valley, WA

Suite C, 23933 SE 264th Street
Maple Valley, WA 98038
253-856-3312

Spokane, WA

Suite C, 5815 W Thorpe Rd
Spokane, WA 99224
509-571-9003

2020-04-30: How You Can Prevent Accidents and Help Truckers During COVID-19 Crisis

You have heard on the news that the trucking industry has become a front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. We support this industry with spill response and accident recovery services, and see first hand the impact it’s had on the industry. With a truck gets into an accident, not only is it a safety risk to the driver and everyone else on the road, it means that the transportation of goods and supplies has paused.

Here are some ways you, as a regular driver, can help prevent semi-truck accidents, so truckers can continue to do their job during this crisis:

Give Semi-Trucks the Room They Need.

If you see a semi-truck and trailer on the road, make sure they have lots of space. If you are following or passing an 18-wheeler, remember that they need more space to stop and maneuver. Big trucks are also more prone to tire blowouts, so make sure your vehicle is not too close to one. If it is, you can cause a significant accident if their tire blows.

Trucks pulling trailers are also more prone to swaying and blowing in the wind. If that causes the truck and trailer to swerve and you’re in the way, there will be a semi-truck accident. That means you should pass as quickly as possible and do not cut in immediately in front of them.

Stay Out of the Truck Driver’s Blind Spots.

Your car has a blind spot, now imagine how many blind spots an 18-wheeler has! These huge vehicles have massive zones of sight that are blind. The blind zones extend from about 20-feet in front of the tractor and about 200-feet to the rear. That means a trucker won’t even see your car until you’re at least 200 feet behind them or less than 20-feet ahead. Never drive in a trucker’s blind spot, or they can sideswipe you if their passing, turning, or changing lanes. Driving with caution will reduce semi-truck accidents and the need for spill response.

Remember That Trucks Need Time to Stop.

Trucks hauling a heavy load need more time to stop than a regular vehicle. A fully loaded truck and trailer can weigh over 80,000 pounds. When loaded, it will take them 40% longer to come to a complete stop compared to your regular car. That means they need more than 525 feet to stop in dry, flat conditions. Now, imagine if you’re driving in the mountains downhill or in the rain. If they don’t have room to slow down when stopping or to turn safely, there can be a semi-truck accident.

Pro-Enviro Spill Recovery and Team Pro-Tow 24-Hour Towing are professional accident recovery professionals. We see truck accidents every day. Let’s give our truckers plenty of room and space so they can continue to do their job during this crisis.

 

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