In our state, every driver must exercise due care when operating a motor vehicle. This requirement stems from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Section 40-6-241, which mandates that drivers be attentive to road conditions, obey traffic laws and avoid endangering others. However, the question often arises: does this legal duty change if you drive a larger vehicle, like a lifted truck? After all, they are much more dangerous to everyone else on the road than normal sized passenger vehicles.
State legal standard of care
Unfortunately, the law does not explicitly impose a higher legal standard on drivers of larger vehicles. Instead, it sets the same due care requirement for everyone. Regardless of vehicle size, all drivers must adhere to Georgia’s traffic rules. This includes respecting speed limits, adapting to changing road conditions, and following the Hands-Free Georgia Act, which bans the use of handheld devices while driving. These measures are designed to reduce distractions and ensure that everyone stays safe on the road.
Obligations for larger vehicle operators
Yet, the unique features of heavier or elevated vehicles, such as extended blind spots and longer braking distances, can pose additional risks. This is why driving a bigger vehicle naturally entails added responsibilities, and these drivers need to take extra steps to ensure they are acting responsibly.
For instance, a driver who overlooks a large blind spot or misjudges stopping distance may inadvertently cause a crash with more severe consequences. Simply put, while the legal due care principle remains, the practical reality is that handling a larger vehicle demands heightened awareness. And, if they fail to take those extra precautions, they can be held accountable.
What elevated caution involves
Elevated caution for larger vehicles means heightened vigilance, like regularly checking mirrors and blind spots is critical because bigger vehicles limit visibility more than standard cars. It also means maintaining longer stopping distances. Large vehicles take longer to stop, so increasing the following distance and anticipating road hazards becomes especially important.
And, drivers of larger vehicles must be mindful of their greater potential impact. In a collision, bigger vehicles can cause more extensive damage. Defensive driving, including slower turns and cautious lane changes, helps mitigate this danger, but more expensive insurance may be needed as well to cover the increased costs associated with these serious auto accidents.
Ultimately, the duty of care in Georgia applies to all drivers, but for those behind the wheel of larger vehicles, abiding by this duty often requires extra vigilance. By being mindful of blind spots, adjusting to longer stopping distances and driving defensively, drivers of trucks, vans and other large automobiles can help prevent accidents and promote a safer driving environment for everyone.