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At. Dr. Bradshaw's law office, we are concerned with making our streets and highways safer. One major concern is the number of deaths and injuries caused by semi-trucks. That is not to say that all semi-truck drivers are dangerous or careless, but the vehicles they are driving weigh several tons and can do serious damage from a seemingly minor accident.

Accident Prevention: Semi trucks are large and potentially dangerous vehicles. Below is a list of safety tips to help you drive safer around these big rigs:

• Don't pull out in front of a semi and expect it to slow down for you. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, they take longer to speed up, slow down, or stop than a regular vehicle. This also applies to passing a semi, make sure there are several car lengths between you and the semi before pulling back in front of him. If you cut too closely in front of him, the driver may not be able to see you, especially if you are in a small car.
• Give yourself plenty of time and distance to pass a semi. Due to their length it requires a lot more time and space to pass. Before passing be sure you have plenty of time and distance.
• Don't tailgate. Because of the size of a semi, the driver can not see you if you are following too closely. Give yourself and the semi some space.
• Don't ride the blind spot. Most semi's have blind spots near the rear of the vehicle and along the side of the trailer and cab. Don't stay in these spots any longer than necessary as the driver may not know you are there.
• Turning corners. Due to the length of the trailer, semi's need to make wide turns, especially to the right. If you see a semi getting ready to turn, be sure and give him plenty of space to make the turn, often on narrow roads a semi will have to pull into the left hand lane to make a right hand turn, if a semi has his right turn signal on, don't pull up beside him on the right.
• Traffic signals. Just like many of us, truckers try to make it through a light when it is yellow. Remember that due to their size they take a lot longer to clear a light. If you are at an intersection where there is a semi, be sure that he has stopped before proceeding into the intersection. Sometimes due to their momentum they are unable to stop.