In heavy-duty truck road safety, understanding the dynamics and factors involved in crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles is crucial. A comprehensive study has shed light on a group of elements that contribute to these often catastrophic incidents.1 Continue reading to see a summary of some impactful findings, emphasizing the similarities and differences in some causal factors between large trucks and passenger vehicles, which can serve as a guide for bettering road safety measures.
Associated Factors in Large Truck Crashes
A large number of factors were carefully collected for many vehicles involved in these kinds of crashes, revealing the top ten elements attributed to large trucks and their drivers. Notably, brake problems emerged as the most common issue, followed by traffic flow interruptions, such as congestion or previous accidents. The use of prescription drugs ranked third, highlighting the impact of medication on driving abilities.
Other significant factors included traveling too fast for safe conditions, unfamiliarity with the roadway, and problems with the road itself. The failure to halt due to traffic control devices or crosswalks, the use of over-the-counter drugs, inadequate surveillance, and driver fatigue made up the rest of the list of factors.
Large Truck vs. Passenger Vehicle Crashes
A striking conclusion from the study was that half of the crashes involving large trucks also included a collision with a passenger vehicle! In these instances, the variables with large trucks were generally the same as those in the passenger vehicles. In other words, both vehicle types shared common links to critical reasons for the crashes, such as traffic flow interruptions and unfamiliarity with the roadway.
Some of these shared factors also included inadequate surveillance, driving too fast for safe conditions, illegal maneuvers, driver inattention, fatigue, illness, false assumptions about other road users’ actions, and internal distractions.
Differing Factors Between Vehicle Types
Despite the similarities, certain factors were uniquely significant to either large trucks or passenger vehicles. For large trucks, traffic situations requiring a stop before the crash, such as following too closely, and distractions outside the vehicle were uniquely associated with the critical reason for the crash.
Additionally, vehicle-specific factors like brake issues, tire problems, jackknifing, and cargo shifts were linked to large trucks.
On the other hand, passenger vehicles displayed a distinct pattern where alcohol and illegal drug use were significantly associated with the critical reason for crashes. This, combined with higher incidences of fatigue and illness among passenger vehicle drivers, painted a picture of poor physical conditions being more common in passenger vehicle drivers than in truck drivers before the crashes.
Implications for Road Safety
The findings from this study underscore the complexity of factors contributing to crashes involving large trucks and passenger vehicles. The overlap in associated factors between the two vehicle types suggests that common strategies could be effective in mitigating crashes. However, the unique factors associated with each vehicle type call for tailored approaches to address specific risks.
For large trucks, enhancing vehicle maintenance, particularly brakes, and addressing driver-specific issues like fatigue and inadequate surveillance, could mean some improvements in these statistics. For passenger vehicles, tackling adverse physical conditions such as fatigue, illness, and substance use could potentially significantly reduce crash risks!
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In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted causes of crashes involving large trucks and passenger vehicles. By understanding these associated factors, those in the industry can develop more targeted and effective road safety strategies, ultimately saving lives and reducing the frequency and severity of these tragic incidents.
No matter how careful we are, however, disaster will always strike. If you have experienced an accident involving a heavy-duty truck or equipment vehicle in the Jackson, Tennessee, area give Mann’s Wrecker Services a call! Whether you need help with your heavy-duty semi-trailer or other truck or are stuck on the side and need roadside assistance, contact our team of professionals at (731) 424-2173 and we will be there in a hurry to help resolve your problem.
References:
1The large truck crash causation study – analysis brief. FMCSA. (2007, July). https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief
