Delivery trucks and other large trucks provide a special danger to passenger cars and other vehicles. Their drivers should understand the dangers posed by huge, cumbersome vehicles. Accidents involving 18-wheelers or other big vehicles may result from small driving errors, such as neglecting to signal before changing lanes. The following is a list of the top causes or contributors to truck accidents. Keep on reading; we have added some safety tips to avoid such accidents.
Speed Limits
Major trucking firms may have vehicles that are fitted with speed monitors or limiters, although they may not always employ them. According to MyPhillyLawyer, a truck accident lawyer firm in Philadelphia, “The risks associated with speeding when operating a truck are amplified because of the vehicle’s bigger size and greater power. Speeding is both dangerous and careless, truck drivers should be held accountable for their actions.”
Distracted Driving
Because of the size of the trucks, distracted driving is hazardous, unlawful, and irresponsible. Truck drivers texting or diverting their attention from the road may lead to serious accidents with devastating consequences.
Road Rage
Because of the distances they must travel, the long hours they spend driving, and the pressure they may feel to deliver their cargo on time, truck drivers are disproportionately prone to suffer road rage. When drivers fail to give the right-of-way, tailgate, follow too closely, or attempt to cut off other cars, they put themselves and other drivers in danger.
The Route Is Unknown to the Driver
Researchers showed that 22% of commercial vehicle accidents might have been avoided if drivers were more acquainted with the routes they were taking. It’s easy for a truck driver to become disoriented and distracted on a new route. Fatal truck accidents are more likely to occur.
Time Constraints
The trucking industry, like every other delivery service, follows a routine. The shipment has a deadline for arrival. Due to the stringent laws controlling transportation hours, drivers experience continual pressure to deliver goods on time. As a result, drivers often break the law. More deadly accidents are possible as a result.
Technical Difficulties With the Vehicle
Faulty maintenance or equipment may also contribute to truck accidents. It’s common for trucks to have damaged tires and cargo that hasn’t been securely secured. A blown tire might send the vehicle careening toward oncoming traffic or into the road. Tire tread might cause the tread to fly out from beneath the truck’s tire and strike another vehicle.
Drive Weary
Many truck drivers, feeling timed out, push through and drive for longer than is allowed. This amounts to around 11 hours of driving every session, which is much beyond the limit set by federal “hours of service” restrictions. Long-distance truckers often have issues with driving tiredness. Many truck collisions may be traced back to this factor.
Stormy Conditions
Both severe weather and large trucks may be hazardous. Rain and snow impair visibility, making it harder for truck drivers to notice hazards and warning signs. When the roads are wet, it’s hard to keep your footing. Strong winds make it hard to operate any vehicle, even large trucks. The danger of an accident rises depending on how a motorist handles adverse weather. Some drivers are too careful, while others prefer to overlook hazardous weather.
Loading Hazards
Trucks that aren’t properly loaded risk tipping over and spilling their contents onto the highway. Cargo loading is sometimes the driver’s duty and other times the trucking companies or even a third party’s. The trucker is obligated to do some level of cargo inspection.
Dangers on the Road
Truck accidents often occur because of unexpected road dangers. Road defects account for one-third of major truck collisions. These problems include potholes, missing hole covers, and inadequate signage. Because of the dangers, the vehicle might slip and flip, leading to significant injuries or even fatalities. Truck drivers need to be alert to and endeavor to avoid these hazards.
Shortage of Both Training and Upkeep
The laws set limits on how many hours an individual may spend behind the wheel of a truck or other commercial vehicle. It has been shown that some motorists may operate a commercial vehicle without having the proper training.
Truck, 18-wheeler, and tanker drivers need a great deal more experience behind the wheel than the average motorist. Due to their size and weight, drivers of these vehicles need specialized training in maneuvers like turning, going up and down hills and stopping. Drivers of big rigs must undergo rigorous training before they can get behind the wheel.
Truck Inspection
Trucking firms are also obligated to inspect each vehicle before sending it out on the road, although this is seldom done. Trucking firms lose money and time on maintenance that may be better spent delivering products to customers. Occasionally, preventative maintenance is skipped, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Preventing Truck Accidents
Get in Touch With Your Company
Highways are the most common locations for fatal truck accidents. However, leaving the highway is necessary for every truck on its way to a storage facility, store, or other delivery destination. Sometimes driving on local roads is even more challenging than on interstates. Make a call to the destination’s management or customer. Customers may be informed of delivery times by calling in advance. Inquire about the road’s condition and any dangers. It will only take a few minutes, but it will save you time and trouble once you arrive.
Be a Reliable Driver
Predictability is key while traveling near large vehicles. By behaving in ways that drivers have seen before, you’ll make it easier for them to guess where you are. Pay attention to traffic signs and posted speed restrictions, for instance. It may assist in mitigating the dangers posed by blind spots, sudden lane changes, and other forms of visual impairment in large trucks.
Speed
Keeping your speed within the legal limits when driving is crucial. This is the maximum permissible speed for this stretch of road. Poor weather or other conditions may necessitate a reduction in speed for the sake of safety. It’s up to you to do it. Getting the goods to their destination fast is necessary for a good job. If your shipment doesn’t make it, neither you nor your employer will come out ahead.
Think Ahead
Truck drivers’ duties often include delivering cargo to several locations. Like when you’re driving, you need to know where you’re going. Know the area well before you depart since a truck may not be permitted to use the same roads, underpasses, or exits as a vehicle. Having a GPS is helpful, but not all of them are made to accommodate a huge vehicle. One may also map without the use of a GPS. Before setting off, double-check your map and compare it to your GPS to accurately depict your location. To avoid having your truck become trapped, you should check the height requirements of bridges and trestles before setting off.