Causes of Missouri Trucking Accidents Usually Preventable

Interstates and highways are becoming more and more populated, especially during the summer months. With an increase in congestion unfortunately comes an increase in your risks of being involved in a trucking accident in Missouri. Even with the increase in trucking company's safety measures and safety training, recent statistics still illustrate an alarming number of trucking accidents. The media has focused on a number of accidents caused by driver fatigue, but the truth is, there are a number of other factors that contribute to these accidents.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were nearly 3,500 people killed in traffic accidents that involved a large truck in 2009. Another 74,000 people suffered injuries from these accidents during that same year. These fatal accidents rang up a total cost of nearly $25 billion in 2009. Injury accidents cost another $5 billion.

Our Missouri trucking accident attorneys understand that nothing prevents trucking accidents like aware, alert and cautious driving habits. As a matter of fact, the 2006 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's reports that about one in 20 drivers will be involved in an accident. The study also concludes that there are approximately 141,000 truck accidents every year. Nearly 80,000 of these accidents was the direct fault of the truck driver.

There are a number of factors that contribute to these accidents. Here are the top 10 causes:

-Prescription Drug Use: 26 percent.

-Traveling Too Fast: 23 percent.

-Unfamiliar with Roadway: 22 percent.

-Over-the-counter Drug Use: 18 percent.

-Inadequate Surveillance: 14 percent.

-Fatigue: 13 percent.

-Illegal Maneuver 9 percent.

-Exterior Distraction 8 percent.

-Inadequate Evasive Action 7 percent.

-Aggressive Driving Behavior 7 percent.

We've taken a step in the right direction with the improvements of truck driver training, but there's an evident need for continual education concerning medications. A number of truck driving schools and trucking companies only use a three minute video during their training classes to illustrate the dangers of drugs and driving. Safe driving advocates argue that this isn't enough. There needs to be a continual reiteration of the facts to these truck drivers. The bottom line is that medications and truck driving jobs just do not mix.

Currently, the FMCSA regulations require that all drivers be tested for alcohol and drug only to get a CDL.