Seven Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Truck Driver Action or Inaction Causes Truck Accidents

As we covered in a previous post, it has been determined that a driver’s action or inaction is to blame for a truck accident more than any other factor. Here are some common truck driver-related causes of truck accidents:

1. Medication and alcohol. A driver’s use of prescription medications and/or illegal drug and alcohol use affects the truck driver’s ability to react in time to avoid an accident. Usage of drugs (both over the counter as well as prescription drugs) may also affect a driver’s ability to properly handle a large truck.
2. Excessive speed. A truck driver speeds or drives too fast for weather conditions. Clearly a truck driver’s ability to stop the truck in time to avoid an accident is impeded by speeding.
3. Roadway unfamiliarity. A truck driver’s unfamiliarity with the roadways: see Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
4. Inadequate surveillance. A truck driver’s inadequate surveillance can be to blame for a trucking accident. When a truck driver does not use his training to recognize and avoid dangers on the roadway, truck accidents occur. Failure to monitor truck blind spots, forgetting simple safety measures such as using a turn signal, distracted driving, keeping within a proper distance from other vehicles, etc., are examples of inadequate surveillance.
5. Driver fatigue. Lack of sleep leaves truck drivers unable to properly handle their 18-wheelers and whatever they may encounter on the highways and roads. According to an FMCSA study called The Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13 percent of Commercial Motor Vehicle drivers were considered to be fatigued at the time of their crash.