Avoiding a collision is the most basic element of traffic safety. Anytime two vehicles collide, everyone involved is at risk. Certain types of collisions are far more dangerous than others.
The crashes that occur between commercial vehicles and smaller passenger vehicles could cause devastating injuries and massive property damage. Drivers focused on their safety may specifically want to prioritize avoiding commercial collisions whenever possible. Those who know what causes different types of wrecks are in a better position to avoid causing collisions.
What are the three most common causes of semi-truck collisions?
Mistakes by a commercial driver
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), just over half of crashes involving commercial vehicles are because of something the commercial vehicle or its operator does. The top cause of crashes where the semi-truck is at fault is improper decision-making by the commercial driver. When truck drivers get too close to others in traffic, exceed the speed limit or make other poor choices, that could potentially cause a collision. Roughly 38% of all semi-truck wrecks relate to the driver of the semi-truck making the wrong choice.
Recognition issues
The second most common reason that commercial drivers are to blame for semi-truck collisions is inadequate surveillance. They fail to monitor their surroundings and overlook people or vehicles with disastrous results. Approximately 28% of all semi-truck collisions involve recognition errors. Those errors could be the result of distractions such as texting while driving or eating at the wheel.
Driving in blind spots
Sometimes, the smaller vehicle directly contributes to the likelihood of a crash occurring. Passenger vehicles in the blind spots of semi-trucks are very difficult for commercial drivers to spot. Those who drive directly behind a semi-truck or next to the trailer of the truck may be hard for the driver to notice. They may turn or merge and strike the smaller vehicle because it was in their blind spot.
Other common causes of semi-truck collisions include non-performance, such as when a driver falls asleep at the wheel, and issues with the commercial truck. Learning about what contributes to semi-truck crash risk can help drivers avoid collisions. Motorists who make safety-conscious decisions can limit their risk of a life-altering wreck.
