Truck driver fatigue contributed to 13% of crashes analyzed in the Large Truck Crash Causation Study of 2007. However, there are many steps that drivers in Colorado and elsewhere can take to make sure that they are awake enough to operate their vehicles. For example, it is not a good idea to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. because the human body tends to be naturally tired during these hours.
How truck drivers can manage their fatigue
Researchers discover where accidents are most likely to occur
There was a 6.8% increase in traffic accidents throughout the country between 2018 and 2019, many of which occurred in Illinois. According to a survey from Go Safe Labs, there were 22,188 crashes in Houston, which was the most in the country during 2019. Other cities where accidents were most likely to occur were Charlotte, Austin and Los Angeles. However, it is important to note that the accident rates in many of these cities actually declined during that year.
Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road
As much as 35% of truckers in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Apnea means "without breath," and sleep apnea results in the individual having his or her upper airway blocked during sleep for 5 to 10 seconds at a time. In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common among truckers, the mouth palate and throat muscles relax and collapse to block the airway.
Red light cameras in decline despite safety benefits
In Colorado and across the country, fewer municipalities are implementing red light camera systems. The camera systems are mounted at traffic lights to catch drivers who run red lights. They may be later stopped by police or receive a traffic ticket in the mail with a citation for running through the red light. While the cameras have the potential to cut down on traffic accidents caused by dangerous drivers speeding through red lights, many drivers view them as a greedy, revenue-enhancing option rather than a safety measure. The cameras have also been criticized for failing to make a significant enough impact on roadway safety.
Improved technologies can present a safety risk
Many Colorado drivers are excited about the potential for increased safety presented by many newer vehicle technologies. Systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist have developed out of the research into autonomous driving. They make it possible for cars to sense distance from those ahead and stay in their lanes. These technologies have significant potential to make the roadways safer, making accidents less likely. However, some road safety advocates warn that such promising technologies may actually increase the risk of dangerous collisions when they're used improperly.
Common causes of large truck accidents
Colorado drivers know that truck accidents are more dangerous than typical crashes involving passenger vehicles. This is due to the size and weight of these large trucks. Unfortunately, accidents involving large trucks and passenger vehicles often lead to catastrophic injuries and even death.
The non-physical effects of accidents
When most people think of the injuries from a car accident, they picture bruises, broken bones or other physical injury. However, vehicular accidents in Colorado can have other effects that are not seen by the human eye and these injuries can be devastating over the long term.
Examining another form of distracted driving
Distracted driving has become a hot topic as of late both in Broomfield and throughout the rest of the U.S. Yet a bulk of the effort directed at raising awareness of it has been dedicated to stopping people from texting while driving. While those who use their phones while driving certainly can pose a risk to you and others on the road, texting is not the only distracting activity drivers engage. Even something as seemingly simple as eating behind the wheel can increase the chances of one causing an accident. Many of those who come to us here at Ciancio Ciancio Brown PC are shocked to learn just how prevalent this actually is.
Avoid accidents with bicyclists
Colorado is a popular state for bike riding. Whether training for the Triple Bypass or commuting to work on a daily basis, these cyclists can increase the risk of crashes. Both drivers and cyclists need to understand how to share the road so no one gets hurt.
Being courteous when you are driving around motorcyclists
When you are in your car traveling in Colorado and a motorcyclist suddenly enters your field of vision, you may be caught off guard by his or her sudden appearance. Because motorcyclists are much smaller than an average vehicle and are more vulnerable than other motorists, it is critical that you drive extra cautiously around them. At Ciancio, Ciancio & Brown, we have been able to help many victims and their families with the consequences of tragic motorcycle accidents.
