Even when truck drivers and companies follow regulations, external factors such as severe weather and poor road conditions can increase the risk of accidents. These conditions demand heightened caution from truck operators.
Commercial trucks are complex machines that require constant upkeep. Mechanical failures caused by poor maintenance are a major factor in many serious truck accidents, often making them preventable events.
Safe cargo loading and securement are critical to preventing accidents. Even if a truck is mechanically sound, poorly loaded or unsecured cargo can create deadly hazards for both the driver and the public.
Because of the catastrophic damage a commercial truck can cause, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most serious violations in the trucking industry. Federal rules set stricter standards for truck drivers than for regular motorists.
Distracted driving is a growing concern across all motor vehicle accidents, but the consequences are especially severe when a distracted driver is operating an 80,000-pound commercial truck.
Fatigue is one of the leading human factors in truck accidents. Long hours on the road, demanding schedules, and insufficient rest put truck drivers at high risk of exhaustion, which can have deadly consequences.