Even so, a study conducted by the insurance Institute for Traffic Safety showed that, for interstate tractor-trailer drivers, 15% tested positive for marijuana, 12% tested positive for non-prescribed stimulants, 5% tested positive for prescription stimulants, 2% tested positive for cocaine but fewer than 1% had alcohol in their systems.

Even so, a driver can still be impaired by alcohol even if they are not legally intoxicated. Even at low blood content levels, alcohol reduces reaction times and will slow the decision making process. In recognition of this, the Federal government prohibits mass transit workers, truck drivers, railroad workers, marine employees and airline pilots from operating a vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) at or above 0.02%.

At one time, alcohol abuse and truck driving was a prevalent and severe problem. However, this has decreased with driver intoxication being more effectively controlled by strict monitoring and regulation enforcement by the Department of Transportation.

Recently, statistics have indicated that truck accidents, related to alcohol use, stand at only 1-3%. The greater problem is attributed to driver fatigue which accounts for over 30% of all truck accidents. Driving continuously without proper rest periods would seem to be an area where stricter monitoring and regulation would be required.

Another big problem lies in the fact that most truck drivers feel that “drugged driving” is somehow safer than drunk driving. Of course, marijuana can also affect perception, reaction time and concentration. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking, which is a far greater timeframe than the effects of alcohol impairment.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report in 1990 which studied 182 truck accident fatalities. Their finding indicated that 12.5% of those accidents were the result of marijuana use.

The New England Journal of Medicine also issued a report which indicated that out of drivers stopped for recklessness on the road (without alcohol in their systems), 45% had marijuana in their systems and 25% had cocaine in their systems.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

Substance abuse convictions may not deter a driver from continuing to place motorists in danger. If you’re a victim of this type of reckless behavior, don’t hesitate to contact the South Texas truck accident lawyers Todd Elias and Steven J. Gordon in Houston, Texas.

General Maintenance and Service Check

Truck drivers need to be sure that their trucks are running well before starting a trip. If they work for a trucking company this may mean making sure the truck they are assigned was properly serviced after its last trip. If the driver is independent then they need to take responsibility for seeing that their truck is serviced. This service check should include routine maintenance such as checking the fluids, brakes, and system. It is especially important to make sure brakes are in good working condition.

Visibility Check

Poor visibility is one of the main causes of truck accidents. Drivers need to inspect the reflectors and lights on their truck. They need to ensure that the truck is in compliance with all laws and that it is visible to other drivers, especially at night. They will also want to check their mirrors and windows to make sure they will have good visibility when driving.

Tire Check

Tires can cause truck accidents in several ways. Drivers need to check the condition of all of their tires before each trip. They want to look for worn tires which may break apart on the road at high speeds. They should make sure that any spares they carry are in good condition and ready for use. They also want to check to make sure all tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires case many trucks accidents, so tires should be checked before each trip and also while on the road.

Load Check

Excessive and unstable loads are the cause for a lot of truck accidents. Drivers need to check their loads before the trip to ensure that they are not too large. If they have an open trailer or bed they will want to securely cover the load to prevent fly offs. They should see that the load is balanced, with the weight evenly distributed. This can help prevent loads from shifting and causing rollovers.  They also need to check door latches to be sure they close and lock securely and will not open on the road.

Truck drivers are responsible for their rigs, and so may be liable in the event of an accident. For their own protection drivers need to be diligent about checking their truck thoroughly before each trip. They should keep a log documenting these checks. They need to have their truck routinely serviced by a professional. Most importantly, they need to pay attention to their truck out on the road, and be aware of any changes in performance that could hamper the safe operation of the vehicle.

This article should not be construed as legal advice.

Additional Legal Tools: For more information regarding truck accidents please visit TruckAccidentLaw.org. Serving clients nationwide and in Northern Florida.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2001 there were 429,000 large trucks involved in traffic crashes in the United States. A large truck is defined as having a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds. 4,793 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, and a total of 5,082 people died and 131,000 people were injured in those crashes. When there is a truck accident involving a large truck, both the driver and the owner of the truck can face negligence claims.

Employer Negligence

Truck accidents are different than other motor vehicle accidents because the semi truck or tractor-trailer is generally operated by someone who is not the owner of the truck. Some truck accidents can be caused by employer negligence.

Some common forms of employer negligence include:

• Failure to maintain the vehicle
• Failure to train employees
• Lack of licensing or testing of operators
• Not performing background checks on employees
• Continuing to use operators that have a record of unsafe driving

There are federal laws in place that require truck companies to properly maintain their vehicles and to perform routine checks on the condition of the vehicle. There are also laws regarding the length of time a driver can remain behind the wheel, but some trucking companies push their drivers to ignore those laws by subjecting them to unreasonable delivery schedules.

Driver Negligence

Sometimes truck accidents are caused by the driver making a mistake or consciously breaking the law. When the accident is caused by driver negligence the driver can be held accountable for the injuries and property damage they have caused.

Some examples of driver negligence include:

• Driving without proper licenses or certification
• Speeding
• Concealing long hours by keeping duplicate log books
• Using drugs to overcome fatigue
• Not ensuring that the load they are hauling is properly secured

Determining who and what is at fault in a large truck accident is not an easy task. Additionally, trucking companies have been known to send representatives to the scene of an accident to speak to the people involved in the accident when they are most vulnerable and more likely to sign away their rights. There is a statute of limitations on how long you can wait to file a negligence claim against the driver and the trucking company.

This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact a truck accident attorney in your local area for more information about truck accidents.