[Reading level: B1 – Intermediate]
According to scientific studies worldwide, motorcycles have a much higher accident rate and level of severity in traffic compared with cars. Statistics from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2023 show that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to get killed in traffic accidents than people traveling in cars. There are two main reasons for this risk: the limited protection offered by motorcycles and their smaller size compared with other vehicles such as cars or trucks.
To prevent and reduce the risk of accidents, both truck drivers and motorcyclists need to pay attention to several important factors when participating in traffic.
Notes for motorcyclists
The first thing motorcyclists need to understand is the blind spots of vehicles—areas where the driver’s view is obstructed. These blind spots include the A-pillar, B-pillar, and C-pillar, the two side mirrors, the area directly in front of the vehicle, and the space behind it. Drivers can sometimes observe blind spots around the pillars by changing their viewing angle (leaning forward or backward, turning their head left or right), but blind spots directly in front of or behind the vehicle cannot be adjusted by changing the driver’s perspective.
For large vehicles such as trucks or container trucks, blind spots are significantly bigger. As a result, smaller vehicles like motorcycles can easily fall into these blind areas. In addition, motorcycles can accelerate quickly and slip into narrower spaces than cars. Therefore, if truck drivers fail to carefully check their blind spots while driving, accidents can easily occur.
The key for motorcyclists to avoid accidents with trucks is to avoid entering blind-spot areas while traveling and always stay in the correct lane. When sharing the same lane with large vehicles, motorcyclists should either accelerate decisively to overtake or slow down to avoid riding side by side or too close to trucks—especially at high speeds or when trucks are turning.
In addition, when riding at night on roads with many container trucks and heavy vehicles, motorcyclists should wear bright or reflective protective clothing. When changing direction, they must ensure they use turn signals and remain outside blind-spot areas.
One advantage motorcyclists have is a wider field of vision than car drivers. Therefore, they should make full use of this advantage to observe the road carefully, especially when turning, changing direction, or accelerating to overtake other vehicles.
Notes for truck and container drivers
To avoid accidents with motorcycles, drivers should develop the habit of frequently checking blind spots, especially when turning or changing lanes. In addition, mirrors should be adjusted to minimize blind spots as much as possible.
Drivers should also leave more space and maintain a greater distance when sharing lanes with motorcycles. Finally, they should always use turn signals to indicate their intention to change direction and reduce speed before steering or turning.
Source: https://vnexpress.net/nhung-thoi-quen-nguoi-lai-xe-may-can-biet-khi-di-canh-xe-tai-4883943.html
WORD BANK:
severity /səˈver.ə.t̬i/ [B2] (n): mức độ nghiêm trọng
statistics /stəˈtɪs.tɪks/ [B2] (n): số liệu thống kê
blind spot /ˈblaɪnd spɑːt/ (n): điểm mù
obstruct /əbˈstrʌkt/ [C1] (v): cản trở, che khuất
pillar /ˈpɪl.ɚ/ [B2] (n): trụ
viewing angle /ˈvjuː.ɪŋ ˈæŋ.ɡəl/ (n): góc quan sát
lean /liːn/ [B2] (v): nghiêng, cúi
forward /ˈfɔːr.wɚd/ [B1] (adv): về phía trước
backward /ˈbæk.wɚd/ [B1] (adv): về phía sau
perspective /pɚˈspek.tɪv/ [B2] (n): góc nhìn, quan điểm
accelerate /əkˈsel.ɚ.eɪt/ [B2] (v): tăng tốc
slip into a narrow space (v): lách vào khoảng không gian hẹp
decisively /dɪˈsaɪ.sɪv.li/ (adv): dứt khoát
overtake /ˌoʊ.vɚˈteɪk/ [B2] (v): vượt (xe)
side by side /ˌsaɪd baɪ ˈsaɪd/ (adv): song song, cạnh nhau
reflective /rɪˈflek.tɪv/ (adj): phản quang
make full use of sth (v): tận dụng tối đa cái gì
observe /əbˈzɝːv/ [B2] (v): quan sát
adjust /əˈdʒʌst/ [B2] (v): điều chỉnh
indicate /ˈɪn.də.keɪt/ [B2] (v): chỉ ra, báo hiệu
steer /stɪr/ (v): đánh lái
