How to Avoid Unsafe Trucks on the Road

Keep Our Roads Safe

New truck technology and stricter policies should mean significant improvements to trucking safety, for both truck drivers and occupants of other vehicles. However, there are still over 400,000 large truck collisions every year in the United States, and while fatalities may slowly be declining, injuries resulting from truck collisions are not showing a significant downward trend.

The number of people injured in large truck crashes fluctuates from year to year, decreasing some years only to increase the next. This indicates that not enough is being done to really make an impact where safety is concerned. This makes it more important than ever to be able to recognize unsafe driving patterns to avoid unsafe trucks and to report the truck driver's safety violation to help keep our roads safe.

Recognizing Unsafe Driving Patterns

Many of the indications of unsafe driving patterns in trucks are the same as those of smaller vehicles. The difference is that such behavior from a truck driver in an 80,000-pound semi is considerably more dangerous than that of a normal driver in a typical passenger vehicle. A few behaviors to look out for that have the highest risks of causing truck accidents include:

  • Following too closely
  • Improper merges
  • Distracted Driving (viewing a tablet, phone, map, etc.)
  • Improper lane changes
  • Reckless driving (swerving, speeding, not obeying traffic signs/lights, etc.)

While these actions might be merely annoying or mildly alarming in most cases - especially if you are keeping a respectful distance from the vehicle in question - such conduct is completely unacceptable in a truck due to the high risk of a fatality or injury should an accident occur. So, the next time you witness a truck exhibiting unsafe driving patterns, be sure to not only avoid the truck but also be proactive and report the incident.

Be Proactive: Help Take Unsafe Trucks and Drivers Off the Road

The best way consumers can assist in counteracting the dangers of unsafe trucks is to help keep them off the road by reporting any truck-related incidents you witness. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has an online complaint page where concerned citizens can fill out a form reporting an incident of unsafe truck behavior. The FMCSA may then launch an investigation of the incident and take action against the company or driver.

If you ever feel as though you, other drivers, or pedestrians are in immediate danger due to the unsafe driving of another vehicle, call 911 and report it right away.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the most common type of truck crashes, at almost 30%, is head-on collisions, making it extremely important to report incidents of distracted truck drivers. By choosing to report these incidents, consumers can take an active role and work alongside new technologies and policies to help improve road safety.

Unfortunately, despite the technology, policies, and consumer intervention, it is impossible to make our roads completely safe. According to the NHTSA, three-quarters of all large truck crashes result in fatalities and/or injuries of occupants of the other vehicle(s), not the truck driver. Therefore, it is crucial to know what to do if you or a loved one is the victim of a truck crash.

Call the Michael L. Morgan Law Group

The Michael L. Morgan Law Group is a personal injury office with the knowledge, experience, and resources to fight for the justice you deserve. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a truck accident, the Michael L. Morgan Law Group can help you seek compensation and justice and help you through your difficult time. Just call 941-444-1028 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation.

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