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Top 5 Causes of Kentucky Big Rig Accidents

Kentucky Big Rig Accidents

Semi-trucks play a critical role in transporting goods across the nation. They transport billions of tons of freight every year that promotes economic growth. Because truckers transport so much freight, there are numerous semi-trucks on the roads at all times, especially on I-65 in central Kentucky. Although these trucks play an invaluable role in transporting food and products, they also pose potential dangers to other drivers. A big rig accident can result in serious injuries and death to truck drivers and others on the road.

Whether you’re a trucker or another driver on the road, it’s important to be aware of the main causes of truck driver accidents. You need to stay safe on the road, and that’s why we’re covering the top causes of semi-truck accidents in Kentucky.

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious issue for both truckers and non-truckers. Numerous injuries and deaths occur every year because of distracted driving.

Some common causes of distracted driving include:

  • Handling a GPS
  • Adjusting a radio
  • Talking to passengers
  • Zoning out or becoming lost in thought
  • Eating or drinking

Perhaps the most dangerous form of distracted driving is operating a cellphone. Talking and texting on a handheld device is an incredibly common source of deadly driver accidents.

2. Tailgating

Tailgating is highly dangerous for truckers and other drivers, especially on interstates. What makes tailgating especially deadly for truckers is that they can’t slow down their rigs as quickly as passenger vehicles. Semi-trucks haul between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds, and with that weight, they can’t suddenly slow down if someone in front of them has to make a sudden stop.

Once a trucker pushes down on their brakes, it takes between 300 and 520 feet to come to a complete stop. If a trucker does not drive a safe distance behind other vehicles, they can easily slam into passenger cars if someone makes an unexpected stop.

3. Aggressive Driving

The size and weight of semi-trucks make them more dangerous on the road than passenger vehicles, and that’s especially the case when it comes to aggressive driving and speeding. When a trucker speeds, it greatly increases the likelihood of causing a deadly accident because it’s more difficult for them to slow down. Semi-trucks are between 20 to 30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle, so it’s far more likely that they’ll cause a serious accident than others on the road.

Other forms of aggressive driving include:

  • Making sudden lane changes
  • Running red lights
  • Driving erratically
  • Excessive horn use

Truck drivers need to operate their vehicles with a cool, level head. Emotional driving can lead to taking risks and performing aggressive maneuvers that can result in serious injuries or death.

4. Not Yielding

If a truck driver fails to yield when someone else has the right of way, they can cause a devastating accident. Failing to yield is dangerous for all drivers, but truck drivers should especially be careful because they can hit other cars with a much greater amount of weight than a standard vehicle.

Failing to yield to other drivers often occurs when merging onto a road or at intersections. Additionally, truckers changing lanes without properly viewing their blindspots can result in a serious accident that can kill others on the road.

5. Fatigue or Drowsy Driving

There are many sources of drowsy driving, and you’re probably already aware of the dangers of drowsy driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Driving while tired can pose similar dangers to driving while under the influence. This is especially critical to know because truck drivers will often drive for extended periods, resulting in low energy levels.

Drowsiness and tired driving can result in impaired judgment and can even lead to sleeping at the wheel. Even a second of impaired driving due to fatigue can result in a catastrophic accident. 

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