There are several important truck driver safety rules that truck drivers need to be familiar with and need to follow. When truck drivers fail to follow safety rules, and cause a truck accident, they may be liable for the damages suffered by the victims.
Distracted driving is dangerous in all circumstances and can be especially dangerous if truck drivers engage in it. For that reason, there are a variety of rules truck drivers must follow to keep them focused on the road.
Avoid distractions outside of the truck
It is important for truck drivers to keep their eyes and attention focused on the roadway and driving. This includes avoiding distractions outside of their truck. A study from 2006 found that driver inattention was the leading cause of accidents and near accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 11,000 truck accidents nationally were caused by distractions external to the truck.
Refrain from texting while driving
It is important for truck drivers to be aware that texting while driving is illegal for drivers of commercial vehicles. A 2009 study revealed that truck drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a safety-critical event than drivers who did not. The average time a truck driver removes their eyes from the roadway to text is 5 seconds which, while traveling at 55 miles per hour, is the length of a football field.
Refrain from using a dispatching device while driving
It is important for truck drivers to refrain from the use of a dispatching device while driving. A 2009 study found that the use of a dispatching device while driving increased the truck driver’s likelihood of being involved in a safety-critical event by 9 times.
Avoid dialing a handheld phone while driving
It is important for truck drivers to avoid dialing a handheld phone while driving. A study from 2010 showed that dialing a handheld phone while driving increases the risk of being involved in an accident or near-accident by 3 times. It is also illegal for truck drivers to use a handheld phone while driving.
Distracted driving can involve a variety of dangerous behaviors from which truck drivers should abstain. A personal injury claim for damages can help injured truck accident victims who were harmed by a negligent truck driver. As a result, it can be helpful for truck accident victims to have the guidance they need when they have been harmed.
