Causes of trucking accidents and fatalities

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) reported on its research on causes of truck accidents, called The Large Truck Causation Study. The single most frequent cause of accidents involving large trucks was poor decision making by the truck driver. Other findings include:

• Truck driver behavior that most frequently contributed to crashes was driving too fast for weather and road conditions.
• Truck drivers' most dangerous behaviors are speeding and tailgating the vehicle in front of him/her.

Driver negligence is a frequent contributor to trucking accidents and trucking fatalities. Even more disturbing are incidents of negligence by the trucking company, such as improper maintenance or maintenance not performed. Negligence contributing to trucking accidents includes

• Driver fatigue
• Inattention by the truck driver
• Aggressive driving such as tailgating or speeding
• Use of drugs or alcohol by the trucker
• Improper passing
• Unsafe driving in bad weather conditions
• Trucks obscuring a car driver's view
• Truck jackknifing and rollovers
• Driving with an unsecured load
• Tire tread separation and tire blowouts
• Lack of proper maintenance of the truck or trailer

Federal trucking regulations, which apply to trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more, have been written to reduce the number of persons killed or injured in accidents involving large trucks and other vehicle. These regulations require certain maintenance for all trucks, limit the number of hours truck drivers may drive and the amount of rest they must have before they can drive again. Federal regulations also prescribe standards for the securing of loads, and require background checks for drivers.

Trucking companies must be sure that the drivers they hire are qualified, and truck drivers are required to submit to periodic drug and alcohol testing. Drivers must log their driving hours in updated log books to document their compliance with hours-of-service laws.

When truck drivers and trucking companies follow federal regulations, the incidence of serious trucking accidents and fatalities is greatly reduced. Trucking companies operate in a highly competitive environment, and their income is affected by how quickly drivers can deliver freight to their destinations. Some unscrupulous companies pressure their drivers to drive longer than the prescribed federal limits, faster than the speed limit, and faster than the road conditions allow. Drivers are paid by the mile, and some drivers will drive faster and longer than is safe. The result is more trucking accidents, leading to more injuries and deaths.

Dangerous roads

The largest single category of highway deaths is the single vehicle run-off-road crash. Roadway improvements such as skid-resistant pavements, the removal of roadside hazards such as poles and trees, rumble strips and more reflective signs could greatly reduce the number of run-off-road deaths.