Authorities Say More Trucks and Cheaper Gas Mean More Miles on the Road and More Accidents
According to statistics collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), deaths caused by large commercial truck accidents increased in 2017 by approximately five percent. More than 4,000 motorists, passengers or pedestrians lost their lives in truck accidents that year. Experts attribute the increase to the combination of continued low prices for gasoline, as well as the dramatic increase in the number of big rigs on the roads—now nearly two million on any given day.
Studies show that driver error is the most common cause of all truck accidents. Data shows that more than one of every four truck drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident had some evidence of use of improper drugs or pharmaceutical products—often stimulants designed to allow drivers to spend more time on the road.
The statistics collected by the FMCSA also indicated that truck drivers and trucking companies often ignore or consciously violate state and federal truck regulations governing time on the road and maintenance of vehicles. Under federal law, truckers are supposed to take scheduled breaks, and are limited to the number of hours they can be on the road consecutively, as well as over a specific period of time. Officials found evidence that logs had been falsified and that many drivers failed to log all their time.
The FMCSA found that the common causes of truck accidents included:
- Aggressive driving, with many instances of road rage
- Lack of familiarity with roads
- Failure to obey traffic laws or signs
- Failure to check mirrors before turning, changing lanes, or sudden braking
- Distracted driving, such as the use of cell phones, tablets and music players
Contact Our Office
At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we bring more than 14 years of experience individuals who have suffered any type of personal injury, including physical injuries in a work-related accident. To set up an appointment, contact our office at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 or send us an e-mail.
