Fatal truck accidents major safety concern: what is to blame?

 Posted on April 29, 2019 in Truck Accidents

As a Texas driver, you are aware that large trucks are everywhere on the road. Semitrailers are a critical part of the economy, and they are responsible for transporting goods and products from one place to another. Due to their heavy weight and the sheer size of these vehicles, you also know they can cause significant damage when involved in an accident.

In order to make the roads safer and decrease the chance of an accident, there are both state and federal laws in place that determine how these vehicles operate. There are strict guidelines for the number of consecutive hours truckers can drive and how frequently they must rest. There is some question regarding the efficacy of these regulations and whether they actually make the roads safer for motorists.

Do current regulations hurt or help?

Current federal regulations state that truckers cannot drive more than eight hours without stopping for a rest break. There are some, however who think these rules actually make drivers sleepier and more prone to drive faster. Truckers seeking to cover more ground before their mandated break may speed, which increases the chance of a serious car accident.

There are some truck drivers who state that mandating break time for when they may not actually need to rest actually increases their fatigue. When they get back on the road, they may be sleepy, and you know that fatigued truck drivers are a significant safety threat.

Young drivers and dangerous habits

Younger drivers tend to engage in more dangerous driving habits, primarily distracted driving. The trucking industry is not immune to this, and some experienced truckers believe that young people driving semitrailers may be a factor in the high number of fatal truck accidents.

Distraction is dangerous no matter what type of vehicle a person is driving, but it can be particularly risky when that person is behind the wheel of a large, heavy vehicle. Truckers of all ages are responsible for making safe choices and adhering to current safety regulations.

Help for accident victims

If you are suffering from injuries from an accident involving a large commercial truck or semitrailer, you do not have to walk through the aftermath alone. Personal injury laws allow you to seek compensation for your financial losses and other types of damages. After a crash, you may want to learn more about how you can hold liable parties accountable and what you can do to put your life back together.