Introduction
Any understanding of the factors that cause road accidents often ends up focussing on the following factors-
- The inexperience of the driver behind the wheel
- Indecisiveness and lack of reflexes while driving
- Taking unnecessary risks, especially among youngsters
- Lesser cognitive abilities in aged drivers
- Vehicular problems and long-term damage
- Inability to comprehend rules and regulations
Most road accidents caused due to vehicles can fit into any of the above six compartments. However, when it comes to trucking accidents, the causes are not as straightforward as you might think.
In other words, truck accidents can be caused by psychological reasons as well. There have been several studies carried out by non-profit organizations that have exposed how truck accidents need to be looked at from the point of view of systemic problems plaguing the overall industry.
In this article, we take help from a truck accident lawyer in Atlanta. We are going to understand the causes of truck accidents, by focussing on factors that are often overlooked.
List of 7 Major Causes of Truck Accidents in the United States
- Lack of Training and Orientation for New Drivers-
Driver errors take place because of several factors. It has been found that trucking companies are not willing to invest in training their drivers.
They do not have time allocated where new drivers come in, learn the ropes from experienced drivers, and are assigned real routes and jobs.
The advent of many immigrants in the industry means that they might not have the knowledge, information, or experience of driving the specific vehicle that they have been assigned.
As new drivers are not aware or trained, they end up making mistakes and errors. This means that trucking companies should set up proper training resources for their drivers.
- The Constant Pressure of Deadlines and Turnaround-
Trucking companies are constantly competing with others in the industry. The advent of new businesses, where digital plays such an important role means everything is expected instantly.
Businesses have to make their customers happy and put pressure on trucking companies for faster deliveries.
Trucking companies in return, force their drivers to pull in long hours and increase driving speeds. When push comes to shove, something gives way in the form of road accidents and ends up causing casualties and damages for both innocents as well as truckers.
Newer businesses, especially in the Ecommerce space need to understand that logistics and supply need some time.
- Lack of Knowledge, Information about Road Regulations-
The past few years have seen different countries and states adopt their own rules regarding road safety. As we pointed out, most trucking companies are not willing to make their drivers aware of the regulations that are specific to states.
This includes everything from stopping during nighttime at designated spots or maintaining specific speed limits.
Because of lack of awareness, a lot of truck accidents end up taking place. The responsibility in such cases should lie with the trucking company.
Governments need to implement structures and systems that force drivers to take examinations and reapply for commercial licenses after regular intervals.
- Lower Wages, More Exploitation and Alienation in the Trucking Industry-
Several studies that have been conducted in the industry point to how difficult working hours, lower wages, and increasing alienation are making the drivers lose touch with reality.
Drivers in most instances are not protected by labor laws. Immigrants coming in from Europe, South Asia, and Latin America have enabled trucking companies to circumvent labor laws and minimum wage requirements.
The exploitation of the drivers has forced them to resort to overspeeding, overloading, and engaging in dangerous driving dynamics.
This has also forced them to fall back on alcoholism and substance abuse to make them numb on the job.
- Mechanical Limitations of Driving a Huge Truck and Problems-
Trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles are not at all agile. This simply means that they cannot stop on a dime as an 800 kg passenger car.
They are also limited by problems of blind spots. The brakes of the truck are not as good and require some time before they come to a stop.
The same goes for the turning radius as well. This means that a truck will take a lot of time when it comes to reversing, changing lanes, or backing up. Motorists need to understand this and take appropriate actions that can keep them out of harm’s way.
Cars and motorcycle riders need to always stay awaytruck accident lawyer in Atlanta
- Lack of Adoption of Technological Tools and Software in the Trucks-
Technology is playing a major role in improving road safety. Cars now come with everything like Additional Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), up to ten airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), and more.
The same cannot be said of commercial trucks. While advancements have definitely been made, it is nowhere close to the safety technology that passenger cars come with.
The trucking industry needs to seriously start investing in technology and software integrations to make these vehicles safer and easier to drive.
Technology can play a major role in boosting safety and security levels in the industry.
- Failure to Invest in Service and Maintenance Costs of the Trucks-
Given the increasing competition in the trucking industry, every dollar matters to boost profitability and sustainability.
This makes trucking companies and operators often skip routine service and maintenance checks. Given how long a truck stays on the road, without regular check-ups it will end up suffering from sudden mechanical problems.
This leads to breakdowns, failed brakes, and tire bursts. All the above are major reasons why trucking accidents take place.
Rising operating costs, fuel prices, and license costs are cited as reasons by trucking companies that prevent them from carrying out service and maintenance.
The Final Takeaway
Rather than blaming the truck drivers, a careful analysis of the systemic problems plaguing the industry needs to be made. Work pressures, by itself, if not a bad thing. However, it needs to be complemented with proper working conditions.
In this article, we have tried to list down some of the systemic causes that lead to truck accidents. Given the year-on-year rise in truck accident fatalities, governments and authorities need to take proactive steps to make sure that they do not take place.
If you have any questions or would like to contribute to the article in any shape or form, please reach out to us in the comments below. If you are on the lookout for a truck accident lawyer that can help you with your lawsuit, please drop your interest in the comments section.
