Driving Recklessly
Everyone knows that driving recklessly or speeding is dangerous, but this rule is significant for commercial truck drivers. Excessive speed is one of the most common causes behind injury-causing severe truck accidents, and injury attorneys see the consequences all too often. When a driver takes excessive speed on a highway or open road, they put themselves at risk and those around them who may become victims in an accident caused by the trucker’s negligence. Being mindful of speed limits and following traffic signals is imperative for public safety and can help injury attorneys avoid seeking justice after a deadly truck collision.
Fatigued Driving
Driving while fatigued is a dangerous and severe issue, particularly when it comes to commercial truck drivers. It can lead to severe consequences, as these large vehicles are capable of causing massive destruction if not correctly operated. Unfortunately, operators do not always respect staying safe on the roads, and fatigue is one of the top causes of truck accidents today. Programs such as sleep apnea screening may help identify those at risk of driving while fatigued, but a human effort to remain aware of their limitations and drive safely is still needed to reduce the number of accidents due to this self-inflicted cause.
Drugged Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a significant problem for commercial truck drivers. Unfortunately, this reckless behavior puts everyone on the road at risk. Distracted and impaired truckers pose a substantial danger to other motorists due to the size and weight of their vehicles. When these drivers are intoxicated, they are especially dangerous, as their response times and decision-making capabilities operate well-below standard levels. As such, often, innocent bystanders become victims when these drivers make careless mistakes while under the influence. It is vitally important that commercial truck drivers take responsibility to ensure they are sober while behind the wheel to prevent further accidents caused by drunk driving.
Adjusting To Road And Weather
Driving a commercial truck can be dangerous, requiring a unique set of skills and knowledge to ensure the driver’s safety and that of other drivers. One of the most hazardous issues facing commercial truck drivers is failing to adjust to changing road and weather conditions; this often results in an alarming number of accidents on the department of transportation-regulated highways. Following safety protocols such as slowing down on particularly wet days, utilizing rest stops whenever possible, and maintaining proper driver checklists are all instrumental actions that could reduce accidents and make our roads safer for everyone.
Lack Of Training
Commercial truck accidents are a significant safety concern because of the size and weight of those vehicles compared to other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, failing to train drivers for these large trucks properly is all too frequent and can lead to dangerous situations. Not only can potentially hazardous conditions arise from this neglect, but such circumstances can place both the driver and fellow motorists in harm’s way. It is of utmost importance that companies take proper steps to ensure that they provide their drivers with the necessary instruction and education to safely operate these trucks on public roads. Furthermore, policies should be implemented wherein drivers must regularly demonstrate competency when operating their vehicles and comply with safety protocols to secure everyone on the road.
