Heavy trucks play a vital role in our economy: “If you bought it, a truck brought it.” But tractor-trailers can also be incredibly dangerous thanks to their sheer size, wide turns, and huge blind spots. That’s why truckers and trucking companies need to put safety first. When they don’t, the consequences can be devastating.
Unfortunately, there are too many trucking companies that play fast and loose with other road users’ safety, leading to severe truck accidents. Here are a few of the most alarming violations discovered on trucks across the country, according to Overdrive.
Tire violations
On trucks, as with all vehicles, tires are extremely important for traction, stability, and control. A worn-out or improperly inflated tire can increase the risk of jackknifing, rollovers, and other devastating truck accidents.
According to Overdrive, some of the most serious tire issues spotted in 2024 included:
- The California Highway Patrol pulled over a truck that was missing one tire entirely.
- The Iowa State Patrol caught a trucker driving with tires facing in different directions.
- Also in Iowa, the State Patrol spotted a truck with not one but two destroyed tires, as well as a third flat tire. To boot, the trailer had no working lights.
Damaged trailers
It should go without saying that a damaged truck should come off the road until all necessary repairs are made. That’s not always the case in practice, though. Overdrive reported on two badly damaged trailers: one had a completely broken frame on one side, and the other was evidently on the verge of collapsing after a low-bridge strike.
Unsafe drivers
Moving on from the physical condition of the truck, some of 2024’s most alarming violations involved unsafe behavior by truck drivers, including:
- A truck driver in California was clocked at 92 miles per hour. (The maximum speed limit for tractor-trailers on any highway in California is 55 miles per hour.)
- Back in Iowa, a truck driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .194, which is almost five times the legal limit for CDL drivers (.04). Fortunately, that driver was taken off the road (and to jail) before a wreck occurred.
Trucking safety violations put every road user at risk
While the violations listed above are particularly extreme, we’ve seen over and over again the deadly consequences of more mundane trucking safety violations, including:
- Driving at unsafe speeds on curves and inclement weather to meet unrealistic delivery schedules.
- Working through mandatory rest breaks and driving fatigued.
- Failing to conduct required safety checks before each trip.
- Failing to properly maintain tires.
- Lack of required lighting on trucks and trailers.
Again, most truckers are safe, responsible operators, but it only takes one dangerous driver or improperly maintained truck to create a menace to everyone else on the road. That’s why we work so hard to hold truckers and trucking companies accountable. We have a winning track record of results in high-stakes trucking litigation, including a $2.2 million recovery after a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and seriously injured two people.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, contact us today for a free consultation with Boughter Sinak, LLC.
"My sons and I were hit by a dump truck that left me with ongoing neck pain and headaches almost a year and a half later. And these headaches weren’t just physical, dealing with the other drivers insurance and making sure medical expenses and treatments were covered was an additional headache. After listening to my frustrations for over a year, friends of ours recommended we reach out to Kenny, and I’m so glad they did. He guided us through the process and represented us well." — Melissa A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐