Semi-truck accidents are a serious problem. They cause billions of dollars in damages and thousands of people to die each year. There are many different causes for these crashes, but the leading causes can be grouped into three categories: human error, environmental factors, or mechanical malfunction.
Many semi-drivers work long hours which leads to fatigue and increased risk-taking behavior as well as other mental health issues that may affect their driving abilities. Other types of environmental factors include extreme weather conditions like heavy rainstorms or fog that can obscure visibility in front of the truck driver which also increases crash risk. Mechanical malfunctions such as faulty brakes or steering mechanisms on commercial trucks increase the chances of an accident when they don’t function properly during normal operation by limiting braking power or turning.
That is why we put together this article to help you better understand the leading causes of semi-truck accidents.
The Top Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
- Lack of sleep
- Alcohol or drug use
- Fatigue
- Distraction from other tasks or passengers in the truck cab
- Improper lane changes, following too closely, and improper turns
- Driver fatigue due to work schedules that require long hours on the road without adequate rest periods
The most common cause of semi-truck accidents is driver fatigue. Semi drivers are required to get a certain amount of sleep, but many don’t comply with these rules because they have work schedules that require long hours on the road without adequate rest periods. We understand how difficult it can be for drivers to follow this regulation and we want you to know about our fleet management team that ensures your compliance rate stays high!
Semi-truck accidents are a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for the driver and passengers of smaller vehicles. It is important to be aware of these common causes, so you can take steps to mitigate your risk on the road. We hope this blog post has helped increase your awareness about semi-trucks and their risks, but if it hasn’t or you need more information we recommend contacting us.
Looking to join an amazing team? Roeder Cartage Co. Inc. has a family atmosphere, offers great pay and regular training for all our drivers. If you’re interested in working for our team, check out our careers page today.