Risks Associated With Truck Driving That You Need to Know

All types of drivers expose themselves to risks when on the road. For this reason, proper training is very important before a person should be allowed to go behind the wheel. Other than strictly following traffic rules, a driver also needs to be alert at all times while maneuvering his vehicle.

Truck drivers are not exempted from risks when doing their jobs. As they’re handling larger vehicles, they need to be extra careful when on the road to avoid truck accidents. They’re also responsible for maintaining the trucks they drive to keep it in good running condition every time they transport different types of bulk materials and heavy equipment to their destinations.

One of the risks that truck drivers safe is developing health problems. Health is often ignored by many drivers who operate large trucks that they only stop and think when they’re already too weak to drive. Common issues encountered are back and neck pain, ringing of ears, ulcers, fatigue due to lack of sleep, high blood pressure and hemorrhoids. These result from prolonged sitting and driving for long hours at irregular shifts.

When the body and mind are affected by stress related to truck driving, this is where road accidents are bound to happen. As a person is not in his normal state, there’s a chance that all his senses are not working well which may lead him to underperform while driving.

In the United States, for instance, 20 percent of truck accidents including those involving tractor trailers are caused by sleepy drivers. Many drivers don’t get enough sleep as they work in shifts and drive as fast as possible to get to their destinations on time. This is dangerous not only to the trucks but even to the drivers themselves.

Another risk here is being unable to see the smaller vehicles beside and behind the truck. These are known as blind spots which have also been the cause of many truck accidents in the past. The smaller vehicles are at a disadvantage most of the time when running near a truck and when crashes take place, they’re the ones that suffer the most damage with the driver and the passengers sometimes physically injured or worse, killed.

Using the mobile phone whether answering a call or texting while driving can also lead to accidents. A recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that heavy truck drivers who were texting were 23 times at high risk of a crash or near crash. Texting was found to cause a higher risk than calling somebody using a mobile phone. Due to these findings, the Institute recommended the banning of texting in moving vehicles. This recommendation is actually now being implemented in 14 U.S. states.

In the U.S., some 3.4 million drivers work for the trucking industry as of 2006. However, a shortage of truck drivers is foreseen in the near future as the old ones retire and fewer drivers are being hired.

If ever you get into an accident involving trucks, do consult a truck accident lawyer right away. Truck accident attorneys can help you with the legal process including filing claims.

For information on truck accident lawyers, visit Gallagher Law Firm, Louisiana lawyers and attorneys who specialize in personal injury, car and truck accidents, divorce, maritime law and more.

Author: Kalyan Kumar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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