Truck accidents are often attributed to a variety of factors. They include speed, long braking distance, tire blowout, and fatigue. These factors can make a truck more prone to accidents than a passenger vehicle. While accidents on major roads are often the cause of a truck accident, many occur outside of interstates.
What is the number one cause of truck accidents?
Heavyweight-Related Problems
Overweight truck accidents often occur because commercial trucks are too heavy to safely drive. These accidents can lead to property damage and injuries. These accidents can be prevented by following weight restriction rules. In addition, drivers should be aware of signs and signals indicating that they are carrying too much weight. Moreover, overweight trucks have a higher risk of rear-end collisions.
These large vehicles have a high center of gravity. This makes them more likely to roll over, especially when entering a curve. Because of this, truck drivers tend to misjudge the safe speed for a curve. In a hurry, they are less attentive to their surroundings. Approximately a quarter of all speed-related rollovers are due to failure of truck drivers to adjust to the weight of the load. Consequently, it’s important for truck drivers to slow down for curves and other hazardous situations.
Long braking distance
A semi-truck driver must be aware of his or her long braking distance and react quickly to prevent an accident. The size of the truck is a factor that affects the length of time it takes to stop. A small passenger car needs about 300 feet to stop at 65 mph, while a large commercial truck can take up to 600 feet to stop.
Large trucks can be dangerous to other road users, particularly smaller drivers. Their size and mass make them difficult to maneuver, and their large braking distance can lead to disastrous injuries for small drivers. If the truck driver is fatigued, distracted, or drowsy, they may not be able to respond to emergency braking situations in a timely manner.
Drunk driving
Drunk drivers are at higher risk of truck accidents, especially when they’re traveling long distances at night. They have a reduced sense of awareness and are therefore more likely to hit other vehicles, even if they’re in the same lanes. Additionally, drivers under the influence of alcohol are more likely to roll over when they take a curve too quickly. Rollover accidents usually happen when the truck’s height tips into the curve and carries the entire rig over. Many truck rollover accidents occur at sharp curves and on-ramps.
The size and weight of a semi-truck make it even more dangerous to drive if the driver is impaired. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which make them much more difficult to control than passenger vehicles. This means that a drunk truck driver can cause a deadly accident and cause serious injuries to other drivers and passengers.
Tire blowout
A tire blowout is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. These events often occur without warning and at high speed. As a result, they are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injuries or fatalities. Fortunately, truck drivers are usually trained to prevent these accidents. However, even the best drivers can lose control when a tire blows out.
Tire blowouts can be caused by a number of reasons, but most often, truck drivers make errors when loading their cargo. Truckers are not supposed to overload their vehicles, which increases the risk of a blowout. Another common cause is using the wrong size or mismatched tires.
Improper driver training
Improper driver training is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. The size and weight of a commercial truck pose a real threat to other vehicles, which is why companies must provide their drivers with proper training to avoid accidents. They should also conduct regular drug testing and background checks and ensure their physical and mental fitness. Drivers should also receive ongoing training to improve their skills. Even the simplest tasks like changing gears or braking can be dangerous for drivers who are not properly trained.
A recent study from the FMCSA found that an inadequate amount of driver training was a major factor in truck accidents. The study examined nine hundred and sixty-seven accidents that took place in 17 states over a three-year period. The FMCSA recorded several elements of each crash. This information was used to estimate that there were 141,000 large truck accidents across the country during that time period.
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