California truck drivers have a lot on their plates. Not only do they need to worry about making their deliveries on time, but they also have to keep an eye out for every other driver on the road. When combined with the long and often unusual hours they work, the distance they travel, and the size of their vehicles, it seems like a potential recipe for disaster.
There are a number of specific conditions that can worsen one’s chance of getting into an accident. Many of these conditions apply to any driver. HuffPost lists common factors that can contribute to an accident, including things like reckless driving, distracted driving, and driving at night. Unfortunately for truck drivers, these common issues are even more frequent for them. They work long hours, often on little sleep. Many work through the night, as well.
FindLaw also lists a few reasons for accidents that are specific to truck drivers. Faulty equipment and inadequate training top the list. A truck is large and cumbersome, and drivers who don’t know how to operate one properly increase their risk of crashing. Sometimes the trucks aren’t maintained well either, leading to part breakdowns or other issues that can cause a crash. The other causes mentioned loop back to drivers being fatigued and having unrealistic schedules, which increases the chance that they’ll try driving without enough sleep or speeding.
Truck accidents can be hugely damaging to all involved. It’s important for that reason to recognize that some of the most common factors behind them are preventable, and to take measures to cut those factors down.