Crashes involving trucks and similar commercial vehicles create a different level of fear for motorists. Given the size and weight of these vehicles, a truck accident is more likely to result in serious injuries or death than a regular car crash.
Statistics in Virginia
Virginia has approximately 70,000 miles of public roads and interstates and more than 30,000 registered trucks use these roadways to transport more than 900 million tons of cargo per year. While this fact benefits the state’s economy, road safety is still an issue for many. In 2021, truck crashes made up 2.2% of all traffic crashes in the state resulting in 324 injuries and fatalities.
So, what causes these truck crashes?
Common causes of truck crashes
A lot of factors may lead to these accidents. It could be that the driver was driving too fast or was not paying proper attention on the road or had poor directional control. It could also be a circumstance out of the driver’s control such as vehicle problems or weather and road conditions.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, some specific truck driver actions that led to accidents in the state in 2021 are:
- Improper lane change
- Improper turn
- Following too closely
- Avoiding another vehicle
- Speeding
The problem with road crashes is you can never expect them since a lot of factors may come into play, especially ones that are out of the motorists’ control. However, it is beneficial for drivers to remain aware of potential risks they may come across when on the road.