Drivers of large commercial trucks have a lot of responsibilities while operating big rigs. Semis are often loaded with heavy cargo that must be secured properly to avoid damage to the product or an accident. Additionally, truck drivers must closely adhere to federal and state trucking laws which include driving time restrictions and mandatory rest periods. Truckers are also responsible for ensuring their truck is in proper working order and to log and report any mechanical difficulties. In addition to all of the responsibilities mentioned here, a truck driver must safely manuever a large 18-wheeler through traffic.
When an accident between a car and 18-wheeler occurs, the outcome can be devastating. In many cases, motor vehicle accidents involving semi trucks and cars result in drivers and passengers of personal vehicles being seriously injured or even killed.
In an effort to crackdown on the number of fatal accidents involving semis, one city recently began a campaign to target aggressive drivers. While many commercial vehicle accidents result when a truck driver is overly fatigued, distracted or engaging in dangerous driving behaviors; many more result from the aggressive driving behaviors of drivers of cars and pickups.
Many drivers are especially aggressive when approaching and passing large commercial vehicles that may be overloaded and therefore moving at a slower speed. City law enforcement officials report that a large percentage of the roughly 2,000 citations that have been issued since May related to aggressive driving infractions including tailgating, unsafe lane changes and excessive speeding. These types of aggressive driving behaviors are especially dangerous when maneuvering around a semi truck. Since the campaign to target aggressive drivers began, law enforcement officials report a 40 percent decrease in the number of fatal accidents involving large commercial vehicles.
Source: Fleet Owner, "Targeting aggressive driving around big rigs helped reduce fatal accidents by 40%," Sarah Whistler, Aug. 6, 2013