Strong Advocacy & Reliable Service
Since 1989

Exterior Of The Office Building Of Law Offices Of Sharon L. Azoulay, P.A

Should you avoid the interstate if you are scared of trucks?

On Behalf of | Aug 13, 2024 | Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Some drivers are more confident than others. Some are happy to drive on smaller, quieter roads but not so much on large ones. They’ll often take routes that are longer just to avoid going on the interstate.

One of the reasons people so fear the larger roads is trucks. The loud rumbling as one approaches from behind and the swoosh of air as they pass can all terrify nervous drivers. They think they will be safer staying off the interstate where there are fewer trucks. It turns out their logic is flawed.

More fatal crashes occur off the interstate roads than on it

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that only 26% of fatal truck crashes occur on the interstate. The other 74% happen off it. In other words, the interstate is probably the safest place to encounter a truck. 

This is because interstate roads were designed with trucks in mind. Many non-interstate roads have existed since before massive trucks hauling cargo were a thing, so were not designed to accommodate them. While they may have been widened or improved over time, the towns and buildings that sprung up alongside them limit how much they can be changed. Thus they can be challenging for trucks to drive on.

Designers of the interstate roads built them to handle huge trucks. They put several lanes in to make it safer for drivers to pass each other. They also created barriers to separate vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.

Still, it is wise to exercise caution when sharing any kind of road with trucks as one mistake by them could lead to a collision that leaves you with significant injuries.

Archives