Back in 2016, we posted about how wrecks involving tractor trailers were on the rise. Unfortunately, that trend has continued, in part after a number of changes to the regulations surrounding tractor trailer operations.
With sleep-deprived drivers on the road for longer hours and towing heavier loads, the possibility of a potentially serious semi wreck has risen year-over-year since 2014 (according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and shows no sign of decreasing significantly any time soon.
What time is a semi truck wreck most likely to happen? You might be surprised by the answer.
Individuals and families traveling long distances by car often try to ‘beat the traffic’ by timing their drive to avoid morning or afternoon rush hour when they go through large towns or cities, and often they hope to cut down on the number of semi trucks they see on the road as well.
Tractor trailers are on the road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can’t fully avoid them no matter what.
However, knowing when wrecks are most likely to occur does provide some important feedback about the causes of certain semi wrecks and ways to mitigate the chance of being involved in one.
The fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 78% of semi truck wrecks happen on weekdays, with 73% occurring between the average work hours of 8 AM to 6 PM is often surprising to those who assume most wrecks happen when drivers are tired after a long drive through the night, or on weekends when more vehicles are on the road.
Noon is considered the average time to go on lunch for a majority of the American workforce, meaning that thousands of cars might pull onto the road all at once in a single American city within ten to fifteen minutes of each other. Sleep-deprived truck drivers may find it hardest to stay awake in the afternoon, after forcing themselves to power through the morning.
Add these facts together, and you have a recipe for a high risk of wrecks involving semi trucks.
Obviously, it’s impossible to ask everyone to simply stay off the road during any time of day, let alone the middle of the workday during the week.
Your best bet to lessen your chance of being involved in a tractor trailer wreck is to follow these safety guidelines:
Our final tip? Always drive on the defense. The simple truth is that you cannot predict anyone else’s behavior 100%, and the best way to avoid an accident with a tractor trailer is simply to drive defensively.
Follow traffic and safety laws, maintain a heightened awareness of the environment around you, and adjust your driving if:
Also, put down your cell phone. If the call or text message is so important it must be answered right away, pull over in the next safe location. Just don’t drive distracted.
Bluestein Attorneys is here to help. Our Personal Injury team has experience helping our clients in the aftermath of automobile accidents, wrecks involving tractor trailers, motorcycle wrecks, and more.
Request your FREE Tractor Trailer Wrecks consultation by calling (803) 779-7599, or contact us online by clicking the banner below.