Truck driving accidents can be catastrophic for truck drivers and everyone else on the road. While most drivers aim to be as safe as possible, certain situations can make accidents more likely to occur. 

By learning what those situations are, it’s possible to be safer on the road. CDL drivers will know what to look for, as well as what steps they can take to make accidents less likely. 

If you’re looking for some helpful safety tips for CDL drivers, here’s a look at the common causes of trucking accidents and how you can avoid them. 

Maintenance Issues

A lack of proper maintenance does have the ability to lead to accidents. Whether it’s a burst tire, brake failure, electrical issue, or anything else, it can all lead to a situation where properly handling the truck isn’t possible. 

Thankfully, this is easy to address. By following maintenance schedules and doing regular condition checks between those dates, problems can be identified, fixed, or avoided outright. 

Speeding 

Excessive speed is dangerous. Not only does it mean traveling at a rate that exceeds what’s deemed safe for the road, but it also makes it hard to take quick action if the need arises. Trucks are harder to stop than vehicles, and they can’t always be steered away from an unexpected obstacle quickly. 

Drivers should always follow speed limits when they drive. Additionally, if conditions require it, they should adjust their speed down accordingly, ensuring they can stay in control of the vehicle at all times. 

Poor Road Conditions

Ice, snow, wind, rain, and standing water all add a level of risk to the road. Hydroplaning, slipping across the ice, and similar issues can cause a truck to jackknife. If winds are high, it can push the truck around the road. 

Drivers need to take weather conditions into account when they drive. That way, they can adjust their technique or, if conditions are particularly poor, wait until the situation improves. 

Fatigue

When a driver is tired, they are less agile on the road. It may take them longer to notice a problem, cause them to react in the wrong way, or even lead them to fall asleep behind the wheel, all of which can lead to accidents. 

If a driver feels fatigued, they should take action. This could mean taking a short break to get refocused, grabbing a nap, or ensuring they get enough sleep each night. 

While monitoring their fatigue levels is something drivers need to do, companies should also make sure that drivers aren’t being pushed too hard. Route times need to be reasonable, ensuring the driver can take enough breaks and get enough sleep to stay vigilant. 

Snowball Effect

Sometimes, a safe practice leads to a dangerous one. For example, if a driver stops to wait for a storm to pass but is then pressured to still make it to their destination as originally scheduled, they may drive recklessly to make up for the lost time. This could include speeding, staying on the road longer than they should, or other steps that increase the chances of an accident. 

Ideally, fleet managers should ensure that there is enough time to account for the unexpected. Otherwise, they need to reach out to the customer and adjust the timeline. That way, everyone can stay safer on the road. 

Ready to hit The Road?

Premium Transport Staffing is a leading CDL driver employment agency in California, focusing on driver safety and flexible employment opportunities.  Reach out to one of our recruiters today, or browse our available jobs online.