Trucks are great at getting things where they need to go, but occasionally, they can make the road unsafe for travel. According to a 2013 study on truck accident statistics published in the International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, trucks account for just 8% of traffic on the road, but 11% of fatal crashes involve a truck.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
There are many different factors that may contribute to a trucking accident. While many people assume that driver fatigue is the number one cause of big truck accidents, the instances where that is the case are surprisingly low. Only 13% of trucking accidents can be attributed to driver fatigue. In fact, slightly more accidents (14%) can be attributed to the truck driver neglecting to check his blind spot. The 2013 study in the International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion found that larger trucks are more likely to be involved in a severe crash simply because of the driver’s inability to see objects to the right of his truck unobstructed.
Slightly more common than driver fatigue and failure to check blind spots are crashes involving the use of over-the-counter medicine and unfamiliar roads, at 18% and 22%, respectively. Driving under the influence is never a good idea, and many truck drivers who don’t know better may take curves at higher speeds than local drivers, causing accidents. Hopefully, as GPS technology improves, truck drivers will have better notice about the conditions of unfamiliar roads, and these types of accidents will become less common.
The two most common causes of big truck accidents are also common causes of car accidents. The second most common cause of truck accidents at 23% is speeding. As trucks reach speeds over 45 miles per hour, the chances of a fatal crash are doubled. The number one cause of trucking accidents, responsible for 26% of all truck accidents, is drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of prescription drugs or other controlled substances.
Many trucking firms are organizing truck driver training in an attempt to reduce the risk of trucking accidents. Defensive driving courses cover most of the instances discussed in this article. Truck drivers are also taught to recognize the signs of fatigue, and how to manage it. They are encouraged to discuss medication options with their doctors, and more firms are administering random tests for illegal drugs. With improved driver training, trucking firms are working to make the road a safer place for everyone. Visit here for more.