Semi-trucks play an important role in the modern economy. They help transport goods and materials quickly over large distances. They keep production and retail prices low. They are also a source of well-compensated blue-collar employment.
Unfortunately, the need to share the road with semi-trucks puts those in smaller vehicles at significant risk. Drivers who make a point of learning about traffic hazards can adjust their behavior to reduce their overall risk. Many people prioritize avoiding the worst types of crashes, including collisions with semi-trucks.
What are the top causes of semi-truck collisions according to federal safety statistics?
Drivers making the wrong decisions
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the top cause of crashes involving semi-trucks is a mistake by the driver. They make a decision in traffic that isn’t the best choice given the circumstances. Approximately 38% of reported semi-truck crashes occur because a driver chooses to maintain a speed that is too high, gets too close to other vehicles or makes another inappropriate choice.
Drivers failing to monitor the roads
Many semi-truck drivers are on the job for hours on end. They can sometimes become complacent about checking their surroundings. They might also engage in distracting activities, such as texting family members or eating dinner, which can prevent them from noticing changes in traffic. Another 28% of the crashes reported occur specifically because a commercial driver does not notice a vehicle, pedestrian or other obstacle in the road.
Driver non-performance
Non-performance occurs when a driver becomes incapable of controlling their vehicle. One of the most common causes of non-performance is a driver falling asleep at the wheel. A loss of consciousness means that they can’t maintain control over the vehicle or respond appropriately to changing traffic conditions. Other times, it might be a medical emergency, such as a stroke, that leaves the driver controlling a semi-truck incapable of doing their job. Non-performance is responsible for another 12% of all crashes involving semi-trucks. Driver performance issues, environmental factors and issues with the vehicle are the other top causes of semi-truck collisions.
Being able to identify warning signs of high-risk situations could help drivers avoid crashes involving semi-trucks that could put them in the hospital or worse.