Safety Tips for Driving an RV on Texas Roads in Summer and Fall

With fall approaching, the weather is perfect for a road trip and taking out the RV for one final spin before winter approaches and school is back in session.
However, before you leave for a trip, it is important that you understand that there are several key differences between operating a small car or pickup truck and operating an RV – recreational vehicles are much longer, larger, and heavier than your day-to-day ride, and these differences can make them more difficult to drive.
Here are some basic RV driving safety tips:

• Realize your blind spots are bigger. Because of their length, RVs don’t allow you to see behind you as clearly, so be extremely cautious when changing lanes and making turns. Use your turn signals, and always make movement slowly.
• An RV is no excuse to not buckle up. Yes, RVs can have beds, kitchen tables, and couches, but it is still always safer to be wearing a seat belt in case of an accident.
• Understand that you will take more time to stop. Because of your vehicle’s weight, you need considerably more room to come to a complete stop – and braking too suddenly could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Also realize that the weight of your RV will make it more difficult to drive on steep downgrades.
• Don’t overload your RV. If you are traveling for long distances or live in your RV, you should be very aware of your RV’s maximum load capacity. Generally, the heavier your vehicle, the more difficult it is to drive, and if your vehicle is heavier than recommended by the manufacturer, you will increase your chances of a wreck.
• Be aware of fatigued driving. Yes, RV trips can be about covering large distances in a short amount of time or night driving, but it is vital to understand the dangers of driving without taking a break and the dangers of driving through the night.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a Texas RV accident that was not your fault? Speak with a Dallas traffic accident attorney about the particulars of your case today.