Although there are public transportation options throughout the city of Rochester and even beyond, many residents will typically rely on their own vehicles to get around. While this does provide some sense of independence, it also comes with its own dangers — particularly when larger vehicles are involved. Since approximately two-thirds of Canada-U.S. trade is moved by truck, and since Rochester is situated relatively close to the Canadian border, trucks are a common sight on our roadways. But given recent accidents and incidents, many locals are wondering how they can stay safe.
From minor clearance incidents to more significant crashes, a fair share of trucks have made area headlines in recent weeks. Although hit-and-runs occur once every 43 seconds throughout the U.S., those specific kinds of accidents are uncommon involving trucks due to vehicle size; it’s hard to make a clean getaway when you’re driving an 18-wheeler. Still, that doesn’t mean that accidents don’t happen.
In fact, it’s a national issue. Nearly 65% of on-the-job deaths among U.S. truckers resulted from a motor vehicle crash in 2012, while more than one in three truck drivers has been involved in a serious truck accident at some point during their career. When these accidents do occur, the damage that results can be far more devastating than what you’d see with a two-car collision — and not just for the truck drivers. In 2015, 69% of fatalities involving large truck accidents involved drivers or passengers in other cars, with 15% of fatalities in those accidents stemming from pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists. Only 16% of deaths in trucking collisions were of drivers or passengers within the trucks themselves.
One would hope that truck drivers would take reasonable steps to prevent accidents, of course. Since more than 20 million vehicles on the road by 2021 will be over 25 years of age, truckers and their employers need to prioritize vehicle upkeep. They also need to travel at a safe speed, stay alert while on the road, and drive defensively to plan for motorists who take risks. Data shows that an increased number of trucking accidents may be linked to drivers working around the clock, as large truck collision fatalities hit their highest level in nearly 30 years back in 2017. Following all federal and state regulations, as well as taking care of their personal needs, can certainly prevent crashes involving trucks.
But it’s not only up to truck drivers to promote adequate road safety; other motorists and passersby need to maintain safe road situations, too. Keeping a safe driving distance, for example, can allow all motorists enough time to react to hazards on roadways. It’s also essential to be aware of a truck’s blind spots (they have many, and some are worse than others), particularly when changing lanes. In general, you shouldn’t assume that a truck driver can see you, even if you think your car should be obvious to them. Intersections are a particularly challenging area for trucks, as truck drivers need to take wide turns or even travel across multiple lanes in the process. Other drivers should leave enough room for trucks to turn properly and never pass a truck while it’s turning. And while you may not like the idea of driving directly behind a truck, keep in mind that it’s better than being sandwiched between two large trucks — and that it’s safer to let a truck merge in front of you than to attempt to speed up and avoid it; doing so can result in a major accident that could have otherwise been avoided.
Ultimately, trucks aren’t likely to disappear from area roadways, nor are Rochester motorists able to control the actions of a truck driver. But when you’re traveling on I-490 or you’re heading through a busy intersection in the city, try to exercise some patience and caution. No matter how late you are for work, it’s better to be careful around these large vehicles than to potentially risk your life.
