If you asked drivers what one vehicle they worry most about when driving, the majority would say semitrucks.
Here is why they are right to be scared of them:
Truck drivers spend more time at the wheel than almost anyone else
Everyone has limits on how long they can do something before they get tired. While truck drivers are used to long hours at the wheel, they spend so much time there that it is impossible not to get exhausted at some point. It only takes a driver’s eyelids to close for a second for them to lose control and cause a crash.
The truck driver shortage has exacerbated the problem, with many companies urging drivers to take more shifts or carry on a little longer. Recent rules changes have not helped either, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has relaxed the rules around breaks and driving limits. It means drivers may get even less rest than in the past.
There is more to go wrong with a truck
When you have four wheels, there is less chance a tire explodes than when you have 18. Big rigs have more moving parts overall, so the possibility of a mechanical error that a driver struggles to control or of a piece breaking and flying off into another vehicle increases.
The size of the thing
The bigger the vehicle, the more force it will hit you with in a crash. Aside from that, the length of the trailer means there is more out-of-control metal to catch you unawares when you are sharing the road.
You will almost certainly face large medical bills if injured in a truck crash. Finding out more about how to claim compensation will be crucial.