Four Distractions Every Truck Driver Faces
Drivers that do not drive commercial trucks can fairly easily avoid distractions on the road. Truck drivers, and other drivers of commercial vehicles, face many distractions on the road. Some of these distractions they can avoid, but that is not always the case. Even when distractions are avoidable, truckers are often so confident in their ability and experience that they still drive distracted, thinking it does not really pose a problem. Unfortunately, that is not true.
When a commercial driver is distracted and causes an accident, it is an act of negligence and the trucker or the company they work for can be held liable. Our truck accident lawyer in Marietta can identify if a driver was distracted, and hold the appropriate party accountable. Below are the four biggest distractions truckers face while on the road.
Texting and Driving
Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous behaviors any driver could engage in, particularly when they are operating a massive commercial truck. Professional drivers are often over-confident about their ability and think they have the skills to text while they drive, and to do so safely. Just like anyone else though, when a trucker texts and drivers, they take their hands off the wheel, and their eyes and focus from the road, which can cause a very serious crash.
Talking on the Phone or CB Radio
Some truckers still use a CB radio in their trucks to communicate about accidents, detours, and other obstructions on the road. Today, many truckers also rely on cell phones to do the same thing. Regardless of how a truck driver is communicating, it is a distraction and in fact, using a handheld telephone has been against the law in Georgia since 2018. Like texting while driving, talking on the phone also takes a driver’s focus from the road, which could cause a crash.
Eating and Drinking
Truck drivers put in long hours on the road and they are under enormous pressure to deliver their cargo on time. As such, they often eat their meals while they are behind the wheel so they do not have to stop for too long. Eating and drinking while on the road is also a distraction. A chip bag on the console may suddenly drop out of reach, or a trucker may try to keep their cup of coffee that is filled to the brim from spilling. In any case, eating and drinking while driving is very dangerous behavior.
Road Distractions
The road itself contains many distractions for truckers. While other drivers also have to watch for flashing signs and traffic signals, truckers have to pay attention to even more of these. For example, truckers have to watch for signs outside of weigh-in stations to determine if they have to pull over.
Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Marietta Can Help After a Crash
Distractions on the road become even more dangerous when a driver is operating a vehicle as large and heavy as a commercial truck. If you have been injured in a crash, our Marietta truck accident lawyer at The Strickland Firm can determine if a trucker was distracted, and hold them liable for paying the full damages you deserve. Call us today at 1-844-GAJUSTICE or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
dph.georgia.gov/driving-put-down-your-phone-its-law
