The truth about truck drivers and distractive behaviors

by Queener Law | Nov 10, 2014 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident

Although driving a large commercial truck requires skill and concentration, some truck drivers engage in distractive behaviors while sitting behind the wheel for an extended period of time. Just as distracted driving is extremely dangerous for Tennessee motorists, it is especially hazardous for large truck operators, as they are responsible for handling vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds. When truck drivers remove their focus off of the road it can result in devastating truck accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,802 people lost their lives in large truck accidents in 2012. Approximately 107 of those deaths occurred in Tennessee and many of them stemmed from distracted truck drivers.

Types of truck driver distractions

According to U.S. News, the following activities are significant sources of truck driver distraction:

• Talking or texting on a cellphone: Engaging in these activities while driving inhibits a truck driver’s ability to mentally focus on the road. Texting while driving is also against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations, which ban the practice for commercial truck drivers in America.
• Eating: Driven by the need to meet an important deadline or make some addition money on their next paycheck, truck drivers may choose to have their meal while behind the wheel. Not only does eating and drinking while driving require the truck driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel, but spilled food can create a vehicular hazard.
• Programming navigation devices and switching radio stations: Whether truck drivers are adjusting the radio, searching for a CD or programming a navigation device, their eyes, hands and mental focus are taken away from the task of driving. This brief interference increases the risk of serious injury to other motorists on the road.

A distracted truck driver was charged with second-degree murder, six counts of criminal damage and 13 instances of endangerment stemming from a devastating truck accident. According to the Huffington Post, the truck driver’s dash camera recorded him watching videos on his cellphone while driving along the Arizona highway. It also recorded the commercial truck quickly approaching a law enforcement vehicle, which was parked alongside the road. The tractor trailer was going 65 miles per hour when it struck the vehicle, instantly killing the officer inside.

Taking action

In an attempt to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities that occur each year as a result of distracted truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted a ban on texting and driving. The law also restricts truck drivers from reaching for and holding a cellular device while driving. Truck drivers caught engaging in these illegal behaviors may face significant fines of up to $11,000. Although hands free cellular devices are legal to use, many studies show the inherent dangers that cognitive distraction has on commercial truck drivers.

Victim of truck accident suing trucking company in Tennessee

by Queener Law | Nov 1, 2014 | Tennessee, Trucking Accident

Distraction is what allegedly caused a Tennessee truck driver to swerve his tractor trailer into oncoming traffic, hitting a bus filled with high school softball players. According to KFOR News, the tragic accident claimed the lives of four young girls and severely injured several other passengers on the bus. One of the injured girls is suing the company that was responsible for hiring the truck driver, claiming that the company failed to properly train and supervise their employee, which led to the devastating truck accident.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Large truck accidents claim the lives of thousands of Americans each year and injure countless more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,802 fatalities from accidents involving large trucks nationwide in 2012. Approximately 107 of those deaths occurred in Tennessee.  Although there are many variables that can cause a large truck accident, such as truck driver fatigue and distraction, the employer can also be held responsible for the actions of drivers who they directly employ.

The role of the trucking company

Not only are trucking companies required to inspect, repair and maintain vital parts and equipment on their fleet of commercial trucks, they are also in charge of hiring competent and skilled drivers, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In 2012, the FMCSA was prompted to remove over 171,000 commercial vehicle drivers from service due to excessive driving violations. Over 2.1 million vehicles inspected by the FMCSA were taken off U.S. roadways in 2012 due to violation concerns as well.

A growing demand

According to NBC News, a growing demand to transport and distribute products across the country has led some trucking companies to overlook certain federal regulations regarding driver training, equipment maintenance and driver work hours. There are up to 35,000 unfilled truck driver positions in the U.S., as reported by the American Trucking Association, and that number is predicted to grow substantially in the coming years.

A recent truck accident involving famous actor and comedian Tracy Morgan illustrates how trucking company negligence can result in disaster. The commercial truck that rear-ended Morgan’s limousine was equipped with the latest safety technology; however, the automatic braking system and speed sensors were not working properly, according to a Businessweek report. The driver manning the massive 40 ton vehicle had been awake for nearly 24 hours when the accident occurred. Morgan and several others have filed a third-party lawsuit against the trucking company, who among other things scheduled the truck driver to report to work over 700 miles away from his home.

Despite the growing economy, truck companies must ensure that their vehicles and drivers do not pose a significant threat to other motorists on American roadways.