The warm weather has finally found it’s way here and in just a few short weeks we can officially declare it summer. For many of us, that means it’s time to hit the road! And just as we adjust our driving and habits to suit winter road conditions, there are also some considerations to be made for summer driving too. This time of year we share the road with a few different types travelers.
Commercial vehicles
If your summer travels take you down a highway or two, you are sure to be driving alongside some heavy transport vehicles. It’s no surprise that the statistics show passenger vehicles don’t fair well in collisions with commercial vehicles.
67% of drivers of other vehicles involved in fatal collisions with trucks committed a driving error.
- Blind spots – Following too close means the driver cannot see you and a sudden stop could be fatal. There are other danger zones to stay out of as well, a good rule of thumb is if you cannot see the drivers face in one of the large side mirrors on the truck, the driver cannot see you. Do your best to move out of these blind spots safely.
- Safe stopping distance – Large vehicles need a much longer stopping distance than passenger cars. It can take almost 100 meters for a truck to come to a stop at just 80 km per hour. Stay safe and avoid cutting in too closely in front of commercial trucks.
- Wide turns – Drivers need to make room for large trucks to turn, they sometimes need to intrude on additional driving lanes to turn safely. Give them room, do not try to over take a truck while it is turning, and do not move into the space they make while making the turn.
Learn more about sharing the road safely with commercial vehicles here.
Motorcycles
With a limited window of opportunity in much of Canada for motorbike enthusiasts to hit the open road, the summer months are sacred. Staying safe is as much the responsibility of the rider as it is for other vehicles. Riders and drivers can brush up on working together to stay safe in this post.
Bicycles
Of course motorbikes are not the only two-wheeled vehicles we see more of this time of year, cyclists are sharing the road too. Many of the same precautions apply and drivers should be mindful, but being a smart cyclist goes a long way to helping drivers keep the roads safe. Learn more about safe cycling here.
Have More Questions?
Let me know and I’ll do my best to address it here for you and all of our readers. Better yet, contact an InsureMy advisor; these guys know their stuff. Email Info@InsureMy.ca or give them a call locally at (403) 410-1896 or toll free at 1-844-410-1896.
Everyday Insurance With Allie
Working mom, lover of the great outdoors and self-professed know-it-all. Our resident blogger, Allie isn’t the insurance guru she claims to be – but she’s learning and we are happy to help guide her. All the while keeping you in the loop on the “insurancey” stuff you need to know. #AskAllie
