Kentucky is a great place to live, but the roads can often be difficult to navigate. Elizabethtown has many major routes passing in and around it, like Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 62. The reality is that these busy roads bring in traffic from all over the state as well as outside the state, so it isn’t surprising that there are often tourists and large trucks around this city.
When you’re driving here, you need to take steps to stay safe. You may be around semi-trucks and motorists who aren’t familiar with Kentucky’s driving laws. Being focused on the road and knowing what to do around these vehicles is essential.
Staying safe around semitrucks
Semi-trucks are hazardous to other drivers for a few reasons. One is that they are so large in comparison to other cars and smaller trucks. Another is that they have many blind spots, so the driver may not always see other vehicles around the trailer. Third, these vehicles are harder to control and stop, so they are more likely to cause a collision if the driver makes an error.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that there are around 450,000 truck crashes in the country every year. Around 5,000 people are killed in these collisions, and the majority of the deaths, around 74%, are the drivers in the passenger vehicles.
To stay safe, keep your distance. Always slow down over time if a semi-truck is behind you. Finally, stay out of the truck’s blind spots, which are primarily along the side and rear of the trailer.
Staying safe around tourists/out-of-state drivers
To stay safe around out-of-state drivers, you should keep a close eye on their driving behaviors. If you notice someone is slowing down to look for an exit or turn, you should give them plenty of space. If you see them weaving or acting recklessly, consider writing down their license plate number, pulling over and calling the police to inform them. This could help them get the vehicle off the road.
If you do get into a car or truck crash due to a driver not seeing you or acting recklessly, you may be able to make a claim against them for compensation.