Truck accidents are on the rise and there’s no possibility the numbers will go south! Each year there are 500,000 instances of truck accidents involving over 5,000 deaths which rarely include truck drivers. The victims are individuals in cars or other passenger vehicles. So, what causes these fatal truck collisions? Well, let’s find out….
Driver Fatigue
It’s a bad idea to drive when one is feeling tired or sleepy. Fatigue is one of the number one causes of truck accidents as employers, often; make their drivers over-work to earn more money. Ideally, a truck driver has to keep a log-book containing details of on-duty driving time, on-duty non-driving time and off-duty time. There are regulations governing the driving hours of truck drivers and one should never exceed that.
Drugs & Alcohol
Drinking too much or taking drugs while driving can land you in a sea of troubles. In past, it has been found that 26% of the truck accidents can be attributed to the consumption of illicit drugs. These affect the reaction time of drivers leading to dangerous accidents. Truck drivers need to take a substance abuse screening test before they are hired. When involved in an accident, if you are found to be drunk or have taken drugs, it could mean serious liabilities for you & your employer. Never drink and drive!
Overloading a truck
Every truck has its own weighing capacity and if you exceed the limit, there are good chances of you getting into an accident and injuring someone else. Another reason why truck accidents happen all over the US is – unsecured cargo. The best way to solve this problem is to buy high quality and UV resistant truck straps from a reliable online supplier. It will not only protect your load, but also keep it from falling and causing accidents.
Not following the rules
Exceeding the speed limit on highways and driving recklessly often results in severe road accidents. Large-sized trucks carrying heavy cargo are especially dangerous when driven carelessly. By the time you apply brakes; the truck goes out of control and causes fatal accidents.
Improper truck maintenance
Not maintaining your truck on a regular basis also causes accidents. Companies tend to cut down on inspection and maintenance costs in order to increase profits. However, this often leads to serious accidents involving fatal injuries and even driver-deaths. If there’s a mechanical problem in your truck, get it inspected and repaired thoroughly to ensure a smooth journey.
Weather & road conditions
Another reason for truck accidents is bad weather. Storms, tornadoes and heavy rain make conditions worse for truck drivers. Improper road conditions due to such weather make it even more difficult for drivers to keep control of their vehicle especially large ones.
While we have no control over some causes for these truck accidents, we certainly can avoid alcohol & drugs and drive responsibly. Follow the rules of the road to save your and others lives.
