A significant factor in many Virginia commercial truck accidents is the driver of the truck itself. But what issues do these truckers face that make them dangerous on our roads, highways and interstates? Let’s take a closer look.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) worked together to conduct the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS). This large and extensive study set out to identify exactly why commercial truck accidents take place and what steps the federal government and the trucking industry could take to prevent future crashes. One of the most interesting findings regarded the top five reasons that truck drivers themselves were responsible for serious accidents:
- Alcohol (1%)
- Illegal Drugs (1.8%)
- Fatigue (2.6%)
- Unfamiliarity with the Road or Area (3.4%)
- Inexperienced Trucking (2.2%)
What can we learn from this information? While federal regulations already exist for many of these issues, including driving under the influence, fatigue, and inexperienced trucking, we may simply not be doing enough to enforce these regulations. For example, while trucking regulations exist to prevent fatigued driving, many believe that these rules should be stricter.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a Virginia truck accident? You may wish to speak with an experienced Norfolk personal injury attorney. Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting.
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