While automobiles are more frequently involved in accidents, trucks, particularly larger trucks, are associated with more severe outcomes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 5,472 deaths.
Of these fatalities, 70% were passenger vehicle occupants, 18% were truck occupants, and 12% were non-occupants like pedestrians or cyclists. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the main issue is the vulnerability of occupants of smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles under-riding trucks in crashes.
The leading cause (87%) of trucking accidents is driver error, including speeding, distracted driving (use of mobile phones, eating), alcohol and drug impairment, and fatigue. Mechanical failures account for about 10% of crashes, while environmental factors cause another 3%.
Truck braking capability can be a factor in truck crashes. Loaded tractor-trailers require 20% to 40% more distance to stop than cars, according to the IIHS, and the discrepancy is even greater on wet, slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes.
The majority of fatal crashes occur in rural areas (57%), with accidents likely to occur during the daytime on weekdays and at night during the weekends.
Bucking These Trends: Preventing Accidents on the Road
Defensive driving empowers truckers to mitigate the chain of events that typically leads to serious crashes. Defensive drivers actively shape safer conditions around them by pacing their speed so they never outrun their visibility, giving themselves buffer room to maneuver, and approaching intersections, curves, and lane changes with deliberate caution. By treating every roadway situation as dynamic, affected by lighting, traffic flow, road quality, and other drivers’ behavior, truckers can make decisions that reduce surprise and preserve control, especially during long daytime stretches or late-night hours when many serious crashes occur.
Additionally, defensive driving involves managing the personal factors that influence risk. This means recognizing the early signs of mental fatigue, maintaining steady focus during monotonous highway miles, and resisting distractions that erode attention. It also includes preparing the truck before each trip, including checking brakes, tires, and visibility equipment, and making adjustments when weather shifts or traffic becomes unpredictable.
About Western Truck
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