In Georgia, sharing the road with large trucks can be intimidating. If there is a crash, a smaller vehicle – no matter how sturdy – has little chance against a truck. This can result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Government regulators, legislators and law enforcement try to mitigate the risk. That often includes establishing safety checkpoints. Paying attention to the results can provide information on what to look for to remain safe.
Results from the road check campaign show areas of concern
As part of its International Roadcheck, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspected approximately 40,000 commercial motor vehicles. The focus was on common violations. Drivers’ hours of service and lighting were the primary issues CVSA assessed. However, as it did its inspections, it found that many trucks also had problems with their tires and brakes. Regarding out-of-service lighting, there were nearly 1,400 violations found. This accounted for more than 14% of the total violations recorded. An example of an out-of-service violation is a problem with turn signals.
Hours of service is also a frequent problem as some drivers still try to work beyond the legal limits for time spent on the road. Violations in this category accounted for more than 1,200 citations. In another inspection campaign, CVSA focused on brake safety with more than 10,000 inspections across North America. Nearly 1,300 vehicles were taken off the road for brake problems. Obviously, a truck with brake issues can be hazardous and cause motor vehicle accidents.
Awareness is imperative to try and avoid truck crashes
CVSA and other entities work diligently to try and keep the roads safe. They find trucks that have violations and drivers who are not adhering to the rules, cite them or even remove them from the road. Still, these are likely a fraction of the number of trucks and truck drivers who are placing others in jeopardy. After a truck accident, it is important to think about addressing medical costs, lost time at work and the long-term challenges that inevitably arise.