Exploring the Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. While no two truck crashes are exactly the same, there are some common causes that result in these often devastating collisions. Understanding the most frequent factors that lead to truck wrecks can help truck drivers mitigate risks and prevent accidents. With that in mind, let’s explore the most common causes behind truck accidents.

Driver Fatigue

Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of truck crashes. Truck drivers frequently work long hours and drive long distances without adequate rest. This fatigue impairs judgement, reaction time, and awareness. Drowsy drivers may fail to notice hazards in time to avoid them or react appropriately.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 13% of commercial truck drivers admit to falling asleep while driving in the previous month. Drowsy driving greatly increases the chances of a crash. Ensuring truck drivers follow Hours of Service regulations and get sufficient sleep is essential for accident prevention.

Distracted Driving

Distraction is another widespread cause of truck accidents. Truck drivers deal with a range of possible distractions including cell phones, onboard computers, paperwork, eating, adjusting the radio, and more. Any distraction that takes the driver's attention away from the road can lead to a crash.

Texting and driving is an especially serious problem for truck safety. Glancing at a text message for just a few seconds means a truck driver travels the length of a football field without looking at the road. This makes a crash much more likely to occur. Banning cell phone use while driving can help reduce distraction-related truck collisions.

Speeding

Unsafe speed is a major contributing factor in many commercial truck crashes. Trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles due to their size and weight. Even small amounts of speeding reduce a truck driver's ability to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.

In addition, speeding reduces a driver's peripheral vision and ability to detect and react to road hazards. It also magnifies the impact when a truck crash does occur, leading to more severe injuries and damage. Enforcing speed limits and governing trucks to prevent speeding can help improve road safety.

Impaired Driving

Drunk or impaired truck driving also accounts for a significant share of large truck accidents. Truck drivers may use alcohol or drugs to cope with demanding work schedules or isolation from family. However, substance use slows reaction times, reduces coordination, and impacts decision making.

Impaired truck drivers cause devastating crashes that can leave several people seriously injured or killed. Some trucking companies are taking extra steps to address this issue, such as drug testing drivers and installing alcohol detection systems in trucks. Reducing impaired driving in commercial trucks continues to be an important area of focus.

Inclement Weather

Slippery, wet, icy, or snowy roads increase accident risk for all drivers. However, large trucks are disproportionately involved in weather-related crashes. A fully loaded truck may weigh 20-30 times as much as a car. This makes them almost impossible to stop quickly on low-traction surfaces.

Wind and heavy rain also impair visibility and handling for truck drivers more than other motorists due to their elevated seating position and large surface area. Truck drivers should slow down, increase following distance, and take additional precautions during bad weather. If conditions become too hazardous for safe travel, getting off the road is the best option.

Driver Error

While the above factors contribute to many truck crashes, simple driver errors and faulty decision making are also common underlying causes. For example, truck drivers may drive aggressively by tailgating, improperly changing lanes, traveling in blind spots, or failing to yield right of way when required. Distraction or frustration can lead to reckless behaviors that endanger others. If you believe a truck accident happened due to driver error, it is better to consult a Ernst Law Group immediately.

Insufficient spacing around a truck for merging, stopping, or turning also sets the stage for collisions. Misjudging available room frequently leads to truck sideswipes or underride crashes. New “no zone” training adopting best practices for sharing roads with trucks may help address some elements of driver error.

Final Words

Truck accident prevention requires addressing a range of interconnected human factors, vehicular components, and environmental elements. Continual analysis of crash statistics and patterns allows the commercial driving industry to target the most prominent current accident causes. Adjusting driver training protocols, updating truck technologies, enacting targeted legislation, and spreading public awareness can all contribute to enhanced big rig safety.