Drowsy Driving and Other Major Causes of Big Truck Accidents

It’s no secret that a person’s performance and decision making capacity decreases significantly with sleep deprivation.  That’s why the U.S. is taking a closer look at addressing fatigue for commercial drivers by considering reasonable hours of service and other regulations in the trucking industry.  While fatigue is one factor that is listed as a top ten reason for large truck crashes, it can also directly impact the other factors listed by decreasing reaction time and the attention span of the driver. Top Ten Causes of Big Truck Accidents:

1. Interruption of the traffic flow
2. Unfamiliarity with the roadway
3. Inadequate surveillance
4. Driving too fast for conditions
5. Illegal maneuver
6. Inattention
7. Fatigue
8. Illness
9. False assumption of other road user’s actions
10. Distraction by object or person inside the vehicle.

With this information in mind, all drivers, including commercial and passenger vehicles, should be well-rested before hitting the roads so as to be alert and ready for potential road hazards.  This includes saving text messaging for when you reach your destination.  It only takes a split second for road conditions to change and you owe it to yourself and others around you to devote all of your attention to save driving—you could potentially avert an accident and save lives.