Truck Drivers Asleep At The Wheel, Untrained, Unskilled?

Did you know that a fully-loaded, large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or even more; while an average passenger automobile weighs around 3,000 pounds? Obviously, if you are in an accident with a commercial truck, such as a semi, an eighteen-wheeler or other large freight carrier, the results can be catastrophic and often fatal. In 2009, 296,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes, accounting for 74,000 injuries and 3,380 deaths. Some of the common causes of truck accidents include:

Truckers Asleep at the Wheel

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driver fatigue is responsible for 30% to 40% of all large truck crashes and is the probable cause in over 30% of crashes that resulted in the truck driver’s death. In a recent survey, almost 20% of truckers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the previous three month period. In 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limited truck drivers’ on-duty hours, and enhanced vehicle safety rules.

Licensing Fraud

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has uncovered commercial truck licensing fraud in 24 states, and there are 21 on-going investigations in 13 states. They say thousands of unskilled, untrained drivers may be on the nation’s highways. Many of these individuals could end up hauling deadly chemicals or other hazardous materials, posing a risk to themselves and other people on the road. Trained Commercial Driving Licensing (CDL) programs require drivers to have hours of classroom work, hands-on training and pass an exam in order to drive on our roadways.

Cell Phone Use & Texting While Driving

A 2010 Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study found that the truckers who were texting were 23 times more likely to get in a wreck if they were texting while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that commercial drivers reaching for an object, such as a cell phone, are three times more likely to be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. Dialing a hand-held cell phone makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event. As a result, in 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a final rule specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles.

Underride & Degree of Observability

Up to half of all truck vs. car accidents involve underride, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. An underride is when a car goes partially or wholly beneath a truck or trailer in an accident, increasing the chance of death or severe injury. A 2003 European study revealed that 11% of the fatalities and 30% of serious injuries could be avoided if trucks were equipped with energy absorbing front underrun protection systems, and 57% of the fatalities and 67% of the serious injured could be prevented with improved rear underrun protection systems.

Observability refers to how well something can or can’t be seen under existing conditions (trucks and trailers use reflective paint, tape, etc. to make them more visible).

Other causes of accidents include driving while intoxicated (DWI), prescription and over-the-counter drug

use, mechanical failures, improper truck maintenance, reckless driving, unsecured loads and trucks that exceed allowable weight and size limits. More often than not, large trucking accidents result in devastating personal injury and/or extensive property damage.