At Sunrise Sanitation we aim to make garbage collection as convenient and stress-free as possible for our clients, as well as all our West Virginia and Maryland neighbors who share the road with our garbage trucks. Getting stuck behind a garbage truck can be frustrating. Don’t let frustration force you to make dangerous choices. Follow these driver safety tips next time you’re driving near a garbage truck.
Dangers of driving near garbage trucks
Getting stuck in traffic, whether it’s behind a slow-moving garbage truck or rush-hour traffic, will raise everyone’s blood pressure. Being stuck behind a garbage truck can be particularly frustrating, as the nature of our job will naturally disrupt the flow of traffic. It’s an unavoidable side-effect of garbage management. We do our part to schedule pick-ups outside popular drive times, but there are times when we all have to share the road. Because our trucks are big and slow and make frequent stops along the road, it is easy for an accident to occur if you’re not paying attention and taking extra precaution.
Preventing garbage truck accidents
The leading causes of accidents with garbage trucks are due to people getting frustrated and driving too close. Here are the best ways to prevent an accident when you are near a garbage truck.
The nature of garbage trucks is going to cause start-and-stop traffic. If you’re driving near a garbage truck, always keep your distance and be prepared to stop.
Garbage trucks are big and bulky, so there are blind spots. Keeping your distance will ensure that our drivers can see you. If you are going to pass a garbage truck, proceed carefully and make sure that you are aware of all of your surroundings to avoid an accident. Wait for a spot where you have space and the visibility to pass the garbage truck safely.
We know it’s frustrating getting stuck behind a garbage truck, but the more you can stay cool, calm, and collected, the less likely you are to make a dangerous mistake. Frustration can make you act irrationally, impair your judgment, and cause an accident.
Although our drivers are careful to get all trash and debris into the trucks, there is always the risk of some debris going rogue and falling into the street. Once again, staying alert, keeping your cool and your distance, will prevent you from auto damage caused by flying materials, or having to swerve away endangering you and surrounding traffic.
Sunrise Sanitation provides waste management services to your home, business, and job-site in West Virginia and parts of Maryland.