Despite the best intentions and a strict employer mandate, truckers often fail to spot dangers that end up leading to accidents. Truckers are charged with increasingly more complex duties that go beyond driving. According to an article, the challenges of modern truck drivers have expanded to include additional regulations and red tape.
Trucking companies also pass along safety concerns to their drivers. Their requirements include protecting cargo, filling out complex paperwork, handling issues like truck emissions, and having eyes in the back of their heads.
The Trucker’s Mandate
Truck drivers need to carefully perform every turn and observe potential traffic obstructions from multiple angles. The term “vigilance” is used as a catch-all term that transfers great responsibility to truck drivers. However, nobody else can do the job, so truckers are stuck. The fact remains that 18-wheeler accidents are often catastrophic especially when they carry dangerous cargo.
According to a study, truckers undergo psychomotor vigilance testing to assess reaction times and any subpar vigilance. Obese truck drivers especially fall victim to high-risk obstructive sleep apnea.
When Vigilance Fails to Spot a Risky Situation
Despite the best intentions, keeping a careful eye out for problems does not always work. Unfortunately, the following statistics show the results of failed driver vigilance:
- Around 500,000 truck accidents occur each year in the United States.
- According to a recent study, there were 4,119 truck-related deaths in 2019.
- Surveys show that drivers often work longer than their mandated 11-hour maximum shifts.
- Trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than standard cars, and loaded trailers take 20% to 40% longer to stop.
Getting Legal Help for an Accident
As a truck driver, you need legal representation to protect your career and livelihood. You might need a Lafayette truck accident lawyer to pursue your case for compensation. Human errors do occur, and nobody can stay vigilant constantly against all threats.
When you are forced to face a failure that results in an accident, getting an attorney to represent your best interests is critical. They can offer valuable guidance on how to proceed with legal proceedings to protect your interests.
The Main Problems With Truck Driver Fatigue
According to a scientific study, fatigue often affects truck drivers. There are several factors that contribute to this situation. The long hours of driving can influence the quality of a trucker’s life and increase the risk of making human errors in judgment. In 2015, 400,000 truck accidents were a result of driver fatigue.
The CDC reports that more than a million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue. Truck drivers comprise a strong percentage of those suffering from this condition. The long-haul trucking industry remains deeply concerned about the issue. However, the combination of high work demands and low levels of control over jobs ensures those concerns will continue.
Part of the problem with fatigue is that it comes in many forms and degrees. Different causes can be responsible for fatigue. These variations result in confused and ambiguous operational definitions. The lack of consistency has hindered medical advances to prevent and treat fatigue.
According To the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 13% of commercial truck drivers are fatigued when they crash. Truck drivers are much more likely to become drowsy than other drivers, because of the long hours and miles of similar highways.
The Severity of Truck Accidents
Truck crashes rank among the most severe traffic accidents. Drivers and passengers of regular vehicles involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler often suffer catastrophic injuries. Despite the safety issues, trucks carry 80% of U.S. goods. In 2019, 11.84 billion tons of truck cargo generated $791.7 billion in revenue.
Knights of the Highway
Most drivers do a professional job, and they’re still referred to as “knights of the highway.” However, chronic fatigue, unforeseeable working conditions, and simple human errors in judgment transform some of these knights into fire-breathing dragons.
Author:
Michelle Eddy is a staunch consumer advocate, fresh libertarian convert, a mother of three, and a part-time blogger. She is also a regular contributor to onmyside.com. She covers topics from parenthood and child development to education and law. With a strong emphasis on consumer rights and helping the little guy stand up for their rights. Her favorite quote is “Sir, we are outnumbered 10 to 1.” “Then, it is a fair fight!”
