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The Rising Problem Of Truck Accidents In The US. How To Control It

On average, there are 388,000 accidents involving trucks in the United States annually. This is the cause of 6.5% of all accidents in the United States.

Around 28% of these incidents cause injuries, which is about 110,000. An additional 11%, or around 40,000, are deadly.

More than half of these accidents involving semi-trucks result in the deaths of people in other vehicles.

If you live in or around Cape Girardeau, you don’t need to be reminded how congested the roads can get.

The number of casualties in collisions that involved at least one heavy truck increased by 13% in 2021 in comparison to 2020, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

You might need a Cape Girardeau truck accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve after a truck-related accident.

These lawyers have the knowledge, skill, and connections to make this happen.

They help many people who have been hurt or lost a loved one in truck-related incidents get the most compensation.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Over speeding

The NHTSA reports that speed was a factor in one-third of all fatal truck accidents. There are currently 41 states that allow speeds of 70 miles per hour or above.

Six different states have established maximum allowed speeds of 80 miles per hour.

The trucking industry faces a massive problem with speeding drivers.

According to data from the NHTSA, truck drivers involved in 16 percent of fatal collisions involving large trucks had been convicted of a speeding offense in the past.

Accident risk rises by 67% for every additional 15 miles per hour driven over the speed limit and 64% for every previous record of irresponsible, distracted, or reckless driving.

Fatigue

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sleepy motorists are to blame for as many as 100,000 accidents yearly, not to mention 40,000 injuries.

The Sleep Foundation reports that one-third of drivers have fallen asleep while operating a vehicle and that sixty percent of American adults have admitted to drowsy driving.

How to Control the Rising Problem of Truck Accidents in the US

Make the Safety of the Drivers a Top Priority

No profession is immune to the perils of burnout. And when you add that truck driving is a physically demanding profession, it’s easy to see why it would affect drivers.

According to a recent study, truckload fleets had a 92% turnover rate that made over $30,000,000 in revenue each year.

Pay attention to the well-being of the drivers. Improve their working conditions by providing state-of-the-art vehicle amenities like ergonomic cabins and automatic shifters.

Urge the drivers to rest more and sleep for six hours a night. Rates of drowsy driving, excessive speeding, and distracted driving might go down with time.

Implementing Driving Education Programs

Before an accident or suspension, drivers should take courses addressing risky driving habits.

To notice a significant improvement, focus on specific problems like speeding, inattentive driving, and driver weariness. Statistics show that regular training reduces CSA violations and boosts safety ratings.

Given the level of aggression displayed by many of today’s drivers, so, the education and proper training of motorists are essential.

As you know, the driver market is currently highly competitive, and fresh talent is in short supply; therefore, you must take active steps to keep hold of your current staff.

Reduce the high expenses of hiring and training new drivers by taking preventative measures with high-risk drivers before being dismissed.

Maintain Trucks in Pristine Condition

Keeping the fleet in good condition is essential to ensure everyone’s safety. Investing in preventative maintenance will pay off in more ways than one, beginning with the apparent security gains.

For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that braking issues account for 29% of heavy truck crashes, and tire failures account for 6%.

Now picture one of your trucks driving down the freeway at 70 miles per hour during rush hour when the driver discovers the brakes don’t work. Regular vehicle service might be a matter of life or death.

Conclusion

The economic impact of trucking companies is substantial.

However, the size and frequency of incidents involving large trucks have earned them a reputation as road monsters in their own right.

Road safety must always be a top concern for truck accident management. In addition to saving lives, improved road safety provides an economic advantage that can increase companies’ profits.

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