California’s roads see huge trucks on a daily basis. Although many of these vehicles safely pass during their travels, truck accidents sometimes happen. Statistics show that certain factors are more likely to lead to these events.
Where truck accidents occur most often
Although you might immediately think that most big rig accidents occur on interstate highways, that is not the case. In reality, most of these accidents take place on smaller roads. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2018, nearly 382,000 truck accidents occurred on small roads while just over 117,000 took place on interstates.
California ranks somewhere in the middle in terms of the total number of truck accidents occurring. Meanwhile, New Mexico and Alabama take the top and second-top spots per capita for being the worst states for fatal truck crashes.
Factors causing truck accidents
There are different factors that can lead to truck accidents occurring. One of the most common is driver error. This includes performance problems such as fatigued driving, medical emergencies or even driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Inadequate driver training is another big factor behind truck accidents. If the driver isn’t fully trained on the proper procedures for handling the semi, there’s a greater likelihood that they’ll get into an accident.
Equipment failure including improperly loaded cargo, worn tires and faulty brakes is common when a truck gets into an accident. If any components of the vehicle are not in optimal condition or the cargo is not securely loaded, it can lead to a disastrous situation.
Sometimes, road or weather conditions play a part in truck accidents occurring. These issues are out of the driver’s control, but slowing down could be a preventive measure.
With the right precautions taken, truck accidents can be reduced or prevented.