When large truck crashes make headlines, attention often focuses on the truck driver and what they did or did not do to avoid the collision. But data consistently tells a different story. In approximately 73 percent of crashes involving large trucks, the first harmful event is a collision with another vehicle, most often a passenger car. In those incidents, car drivers are assigned fault far more frequently than truck drivers.
Understanding why this happens is essential if we are serious about improving highway safety.
Many of the most common crash scenarios between cars and large trucks stem from driver error, limited visibility, and unsafe maneuvers—often by car drivers who underestimate the operating limitations of commercial vehicles. Unsafe lane changes are among the most frequent issues. Cars frequently merge too closely in front of trucks, failing to account for a truck’s longer stopping distance. When a sudden slowdown occurs, the truck may not have enough space to stop safely, increasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions or evasive maneuvers.
Visibility also plays a major role. Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides, particularly along the right side and directly behind the trailer. When passenger vehicles linger in these “no-zones,” truck drivers may be unable to see them at all, dramatically increasing the risk of sideswipe and merging crashes.
Following too closely is another persistent problem. While both truck and car drivers struggle with maintaining proper following distance, cars tailgating trucks face added danger. Drivers in passenger vehicles often cannot see traffic conditions ahead of the truck, leaving them with little time to react if braking occurs. These situations can quickly escalate into severe crashes, including underride collisions.
Speeding and aggressive driving further compound these risks. Excessive speed reduces reaction time for all drivers, but aggressive behaviors like cutting off trucks, weaving through traffic, or brake-checking are particularly dangerous around large commercial vehicles. Weather and road conditions only heighten the risk. Trucks are more affected by wind, ice, and slick pavement due to their size and weight, yet car drivers often fail to adjust their behavior accordingly.
A fundamental issue underlying many of these behaviors is a widespread lack of understanding about how trucks operate. Many drivers are unaware of a truck’s wide turning radius, slower acceleration, and longer stopping distances. This knowledge gap leads to risky decisions, such as squeezing into tight spaces or passing on the right.
Fatigue and distraction also play a significant role. While driver fatigue is often associated with trucking, it impacts car drivers just as much. Distracted driving, whether from mobile devices, in-vehicle technology, or overconfidence in modern safety systems, continues to erode situational awareness for drivers of all vehicle types.
The trucking industry understands these risks because safety is fundamental to its operations. Unfortunately, most driver education and licensing materials do not adequately address how passenger vehicles should safely interact with large trucks. That gap must be closed.
Improving safety will require a sharper focus on what data already tells us. Education campaigns should target car drivers and emphasize truck limitations and no-zone awareness. Technology solutions such as automatic emergency braking, collision mitigation, lane departure systems, and blind-spot detection should be expanded.
Infrastructure-based tools, including roadway cameras at high-risk locations, can help identify unsafe behaviors. States should strengthen enforcement and penalties for unsafe driving around commercial vehicles and ensure violations meaningfully impact driving records. Courts should avoid practices that dilute accountability, and habitual offenders should face remedial training or restrictions.
Driving is a privilege, not a right. If we want safer highways, we must address the behaviors that most often cause crashes and recognize that, more often than not, in truck crashes the biggest risk to a truck driver is the car beside it.