Large commercial trucks are an important part of the Arkansas economy. And in an effort to meet often unrealistic company expectations, many truck drivers exceed the speed limit.
Speeding can be dangerous in any type of vehicle. However, large commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. And when an accident occurs involving one, it can likely result in fatal injuries and affect multiple road users.
Factors of speeding identified
An annual survey conducted by SmartDrive has identified several factors that can cause a truck driver to exceed the speed limit. Speeding habits were grouped into four categories and monitored through video events:
- One: Exceeding company speed limit for three seconds.
- Two: Exceeding the posted speed limit by a maximum of 10 mph for three seconds.
- Three: Exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 11 mph for three seconds.
- Four: Driving at a speed of 85 mph or more for 10 seconds.
The survey also identified areas of safety where speeding truck drivers were likely to make errors. These include:
- Collision avoidance: Speeding increases the likelihood that truck drivers will cause collisions. Truckers who exceed the speed limit by no more than 10 mph have a 45 percent greater chance of causing a crash. Truckers who exceed the speed limit by more than 10 mph have a 69 percent greater chance of causing a crash.
- Vehicle control: Speeding truck drivers are less likely to maintain control of their vehicles. This includes driving with hands off the steering wheel (272 percent more likely), straddling lanes (169 percent more likely), negligently changing lanes or passing (152 percent more likely), making dangerous turns (100 percent more likely), unsafe backing up (59 percent more likely), and unsafe braking (53 percent more likely).
- Following distance: Truck drivers who exceed the speed limit are three times more likely to follow dangerously close to other vehicles than drivers who obey the speed limit.
- Stopping at stop signs and traffic lights: Truck drivers who speed are 156 percent more likely to blow through stop signs, 111 percent more likely to fail to stop completely at stop signs, 110 percent more likely to not stop completely at traffic lights, and 104 percent more likely to blow through traffic lights.
- Distraction: Truckers who exceed the speed limit are 2.5 times more likely than other drivers to drive while distracted
Injured in a speed-related truck accident? We can help
If a speeding truck driver caused your crash, that driver should be held accountable. At McDaniel Law Firm, PLC, we have seen how fast a single truck accident can turn a crash victim’s life upside down. As experienced Arkansas truck accident attorneys, we can launch an aggressive investigation into the cause of your crash, including examining evidence obtained through electronic logging devices (ELDs).
Contact us today and find out how our law firm can help you.