If you regularly drive a truck in Kentucky, you may think that you do not need to understand why truck accidents occur in order to do your job. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute says that one of the best ways to avoid a collision is to know the most common causes.
One of the main causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. You are allowed to be on the road for 77 hours a week and drive for up to 11 hours at a time. However, it is two times more likely that you will be involved in a collision if you have driven for more than five consecutive hours. Additionally, your chances of being in an accident are 86 percent higher if it has been more than 12 hours since you got enough sleep. Accidents are also commonly caused by defects. Burned out brake lights and faulty brakes are considered defects, and these can sometimes result in a collision. If your truck has any type of defect, it is 10 times more likely that you will be in a crash.
The kind of truck you drive may also play a factor in collisions. You may have a higher chance of crashing if you are a short-haul driver, as recording your service hours is not mandated. Additionally, driving for particular companies can increase your chances of being in a crash; companies with a high accident rate are 72 percent more likely to see collisions on the road.
Many accidents involve more than one vehicle, and your risk increases when you drive during the day. Technologies such as antilock braking systems can help prevent accidents by giving you more control if you need to stop suddenly. Electronic logging devices have also helped lower collision rates.