Large commercial trucks, including tractor-trailers, present a greater risk of serious injuries than other vehicles on the road today. The life-threating dangers posed by these large trucks are a result of many factors:
Larger size/high center of gravity: The large size of many trucks and high center of gravity make them less stable and more difficult to maneuver.
Heavy weight: While the average vehicle weighs about 2.5 tons, a tractor-trailer can weigh 40 tons (80,000 pounds). This significant force can cause life-threating injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles, especially at a high rate of speed.
Stopping distance: Due to the heavy weight of large trucks, it takes more time and distance to stop a tractor-trailer than a typical vehicle. For example, a tractor-trailer will travel 45 feet further than a typical vehicle if they both brake at the same time while driving at 45 mph before it comes to a complete stop. This makes tailgating by trucks particularly dangerous.
Blind spots: The larger size of most commercial trucks results in bigger and more blind spots that can result in serious accidents.
Slower acceleration: The heavy weight of most large trucks makes acceleration more difficult. This can lead to accidents when trucks attempt to merge into traffic or change lanes.