Pennsylvania residents share their interstates with plenty of large, fast, and potentially dangerous trucks. Unfortunately for many drivers, the trucking industry has a number of hazardous behaviors and practices that can actually end up harming everyone else, too.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration admits that fatigue is one of the biggest dangers that truck drivers face. But it’s not just them who suffer if they fall asleep at the wheel. Accidents with shipment trucks can impact numerous other vehicles at once, causing severe damage to cars and people alike.
But why is fatigue such an issue? Simply put, the truck driving industry ignores or sometimes even actively encourages poor behavior that can lead to fatigue. Drivers are sometimes rewarded for driving an unsafe number of hours in a row. The more deliveries or drive time they have in a day, the higher their incentives can sometimes be. This can cause drivers to skip out on the sleep they need in favor of covering longer distances and driving more hours.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has a number of directives that are intended to cut back on dangers in the trucking industry. This includes not over or under-loading a truck, which can significantly increase the chances of crashing or jackknifing. They also discuss the training that truck drivers receive in order to deal with hazardous roadway conditions and other emergencies.
Unfortunately, the way that the trucking industry currently works in some areas can still pose a danger to everyone on the road. Active measures are being taken to try combating that, but it’s possible to seek compensation in the event that harm does befall a driver because of these practices.