3 Common Causes of Commercial Trucking Accidents
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that the average commercial truck driver logs more than 100,000 miles a year. The vast amount of time that drivers spend on the open road puts them at a greater than average risk of becoming involved in an accident.
As an insurance professional with clients in the transportation industry, you understand there are many risk factors and common causes of truck accidents that put commercial truck drivers in harm’s way – including mechanical issues, distractions, fatigue/medical issues, and heavy trailer loads. Helping your insureds to be more aware of these issues can go a long way in managing their risk exposure.
Here are 3 common causes of commercial truck accidents your client should be aware of.
1. Mechanical Defects
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) showed that mechanical defects and faulty equipment are a common cause of truck accidents. The study cited that mechanical issues involving wheels, tires, brakes, and steering wheel defects are the most common issues. Poorly maintained vehicles, as well as overloaded/incorrectly loaded trailers, are also key risk factors.
2. Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving results in more than 3,000 deaths every year across the U.S. According to the FMCSA, a driver who is texting is 23.3 times more likely to become involved in a serious accident, followed by writing something down (9.0 times), looking at a map (7.0 times), reaching for a device (6.7 times) and using a phone (5.9 times).
Other common distractions include traveling with passengers who are talking or making noise, looking at visually appealing scenery, and dealing with items in the cab that have fallen off the seat or dashboard.
3. Driver Fatigue and Health Issues
Traveling long distances and not getting enough sleep is another common cause of truck accidents. Unfortunately, many truckers experience irregular sleeping patterns while on the road, making them sleep-deprived and at risk of getting involved in an accident due to drowsy driving.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, driving while sleep-deprived has the same impact as — or worse than — driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%! This risk factor substantially increases while driving at night when darkness signals to a trucker’s mind and body that it is time for sleep. Certain medical conditions such as being overweight or having high blood pressure, heart issues, diabetes, and drug and alcohol addictions are also key contributors to many trucking accidents.
It’s noteworthy to mention that the heavy weight and long braking distances of tractor-trailers are also a leading cause of fatalities in trucking-related accidents. Compared to single-unit trucks, tractor-trailers are extremely heavy, and when fully loaded, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a fully loaded tractor-trailer takes roughly 20%-40% more distance than a partially loaded trailer to stop after applying brakes — the length of two football fields. This can be problematic, as efforts to avoid or minimize a potential accident often involve the ability to immediately brake and come to a complete stop.
Conclusion
The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. In response to these issues, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FMCSA continue to modify and tighten regulations, such as monitoring the number of hours a driver is allowed to drive per day. It is hoped that these changes will become more standardized – therefore improving overall safety and reducing common causes of truck accidents.
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