It's the holiday season, and from all reports consumers are expected to be doing a lot of shopping, in person and online. More buying means an increased need for inventory, which means more large trucks on the highways delivering products to stores and packages to online buyers. But December also brings the potential for wintry road conditions across the U.S., and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging all motorists to take extra care behind the wheel.

Sharing the road

"Greater awareness of how trucks and cars can safely share the road is one of the most important, but often overlooked factors that can help reduce the number of crashes this winter," said David Golden, assistant vice president, commercial lines for PCI in a statement. "Car drivers can inadvertently create hazardous conditions for trucks, which under ideal conditions take longer to stop and have limited maneuverability. However, the dangers of cutting in front of a truck, driving in its blind spots, or following too closely are magnified when there are wet or icy roads."

Many drivers of passenger autos — especially small ones — don't think about what it takes an 18-wheeler to slow down or stop while barreling down an interstate highway at 60 mph. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data, another vehicle in or encroaching in the truck's lane was the critical pre-crash event for 73% of fatal large truck crashes.