Accidents in New York involving tractor-trailers, garbage trucks or other heavy vehicles can have disastrous consequences. Due to the significant weight and size of these vehicles, drivers and pedestrians involved in a collision are likely to get debilitating injuries or even die. When an operator of one of these trucks drives distracted, it increases the risk of an accident.
According to research conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 71 percent of accidents involving large trucks occur when the driver is distracted. Continue reading to learn about the top causes of truck driver distractions that lead to crashes on the busy streets of New York.
1. Mobile phone use
Using a phone while operating any vehicle is risky, but the danger is exacerbated when a large vehicle is involved. The law prohibits drivers of commercial motor vehicles from texting while operating a vehicle. This includes sending an actual text message, email or accessing a web page. Drivers who take their eyes off the road for only a few seconds can cause a devastating accident.
2. Tiredness
Fatigue is a serious internal distraction that faces truck drivers. Despite strict federal regulations about driving times and rest, sometimes truck drivers will continue driving while fatigued. If a truck driver has been driving for longer than allowed without adequate sleep, an accident can easily occur.
3. Communication interfaces
Truck drivers often use dispatching devices or other operation interfaces for various tasks. Drivers can use these devices for communication, navigation and keeping logs. Using these devices while driving is similar to texting. Drivers should only use them when safely pulled over.
New York is already a busy and hectic place. With busy streets, steep inclines and sharp turns, larger vehicles often complicate things for drivers and pedestrians alike. The more distracted a driver of a truck is, the more chances of an accident. If you get hit by a commercial truck or large city vehicle, consult a personal injury attorney about your opportunity for compensation.