Car accidents that take place on California highways may result in police reports, insurance claims and a lengthy investigation. While resolving a car accident case may seem complicated, it could pale in comparison to what it takes to resolve a truck accident case. This is because truck accidents tend to cause more damage than car wrecks do. Furthermore, there is a higher likelihood that one or more people are hurt or killed in such collisions.
Comparing truck crashes to car crashes
Safety tech may be answer to rise in truck crash numbers
Many trucking companies in California and across the U.S. are looking to vehicle devices as a way to improve safety for both their employees and others on the road. These devices include collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, in-cab cameras, truck event recorders and roll stability control.
Lack of training may lead truckers to tamper with safety tech
The annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council took place in Atlanta, and there was a safety systems seminar held by the regional director of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. What he had to say may be of interest to truckers and truck fleet owners in California because it addresses a growing trend. Truckers are starting to disable or manipulate the safety tech that has been installed in their vehicles.
Many accidents nationwide are linked to truck driver fatigue
Like all drivers, truckers sometimes get drowsy while traveling on roadways in California and across the United States. However, due to the massive size of big rigs, truck driver fatigue poses an elevated threat to occupants of other vehicles.
2019 International Roadcheck focuses on steering, suspension
Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds an inspection spree called the International Roadcheck for vehicle- and driver-related violations among CMV drivers. On average, 17 CMVs are inspected every minute during these sprees. Truck and bus drivers in California should know that the 2019 International Roadcheck is to be conducted from June 4 to 6.
Inaction puts drivers in danger
In 2017, there were 4,102 deaths caused by large truck accidents in California and throughout the country. The rate of fatal truck crashes is about three times higher than the overall fatal crash rate. Of those who were killed in large truck accidents in 2017, 17 percent were occupants of the trucks themselves. A further 68 percent of victims were occupants of cars or other passenger vehicles while the rest were pedestrians.
Truck safety administration calls for hands on approach to safety
Large truck accidents are on the rise, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Statistics show a three-year rise in fatalities among truck occupants and work zone accidents involving large trucks. Though high-tech measures can make trucks safer, the administrative agency claims that truck drivers in California and elsewhere can take other immediate steps to reduce these statistics.
NTSB wants speed limiters, collision avoidance tech for trucks
Commercial truck safety is one of the focuses of the National Transportation Safety Board's 2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Truck fleet owners based in California should be aware of the various recommendations that the NTSB makes within it, as they could affect their operations.
Unsafe speeds may be behind rise in large truck crash deaths
California saw the second highest number (after Texas) of large truck crash fatalities in 2017. In fact, all but six states saw an increase in these fatalities from 2009 to 2017, according to federal data. This is despite the fact that the same eight-year period experienced a decrease in miles driven by commercial truckers. The highway safety non-profit Road Safe America has analyzed this data and come to several conclusions.
Coalition aims to reduce roadway fatalities
Every year, traffic accidents continue to take lives in California and across the country. A number of organizations and individuals have come together to form the Road to Zero Coalition, aiming to achieve zero traffic fatalities by 2050. The coalition's spokesperson noted that over 100 people are killed every day on American roadways, a figure that often goes unnoticed despite the significant toll. She noted that it may seem difficult or impossible to achieve the coalition's goals in slightly over three decades to come, but the commitment obtained in terms of resources and technology can have a significant impact on its success.
