What Makes Truck Drivers Distracted?

Dallas, Texas, 07/25/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Most drivers know their weak spots when it comes to being distracted behind the wheel. Whether you have a hard time ignoring your phone when you drive, or you have a bad habit of eating on the go, you know what’s likely to pull your attention away from the road.

But what about truck drivers? For a trucker, the “office” is the inside of a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. It’s a home away from home, a workplace, and a bedroom all in one massive truck. For truck drivers, distractions can be catastrophic — and they have a lot more distractions to worry about than the average motorist.

Mobile Phones – Just like regular drivers, truckers can get distracted by a text, email, or phone call. Federal law prohibits truckers from texting and driving, and they’re limited to hands-free devices on the road.

Fatigue – Unfortunately, many truck drivers are pressured to work far more hours than they’re supposed to under federal hours-of-service regulations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drowsy driving caused 72,000 motor vehicle crashes in 2013 alone.

Eating – Many truck drivers don’t have time to stop and eat a meal. Instead, they grab something to go and eat while they drive. However, operating a semi-truck requires a person’s full attention. Reaching for a beverage or balancing a sandwich in your lap while you drive a semi-truck is incredibly dangerous.

Headphones or Music – Many people enjoy listening to music or the radio when they drive. But music that’s too loud — or motorists who drown out traffic sounds by wearing headphones — can be a serious distraction behind the wheel. This is a cognitive distraction, which means that it pulls a trucker’s mind away from the task of driving.

Passengers – Some truckers ride with a spouse. Like any driver, however, they can get distracted by conversation or the actions of a passenger.   

Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Discusses Safe Trucking

Atlanta truck accident lawyer Amy Witherite states, “Distracted driving has become a major problem on the nation’s roads. Considering that trucks haul over 70 percent of our country’s freight, it has never been more important for truckers to put the phones down and focus on the road.”

If you have been hurt in a semi-truck crash, don’t wait to speak to an attorney. Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer today to discuss your rights and options.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving/mobile-phone-restrictions-fact-sheet
https://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/index.html

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Atlanta 1-800-Truck-Wreck Eberstein Witherite ® #WeKeepLifeRunning
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Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com
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