Safety violations put everyone on the road at risk
An increasing number of commercial vehicles fail safety checks every year across North America, putting all drivers at risk of being injured (or worse) in a serious truck accident caused by a commercial truck driver, according to recent truck safety violation data compiled by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
According to recent CVSA statistics based on inspections this year in North America, 18.1 percent of commercial vehicles and 5.9 percent of commercial drivers were out of service because of serious truck safety violations.
When a truck or driver is out of service, that means the truck is not safe to drive, or the commercial truck driver is not legally allowed to operate a commercial truck due to a safety violation. And until those violations are resolved, the truck or truck driver cannot return to the road, according to CVSA.
Are safety violations on the rise?
Compared with previous years, the number of safety violations involving commercial trucks and their drivers has increased dramatically. In 2018, for example, the out-of-service rate for commercial truck drivers was 4.7 percent, according to truck safety violations compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Specifically, 161,203 commercial truck drivers nationwide received an out-of-service violation in 2018. Every year since then, the number of out-of-service safety violations for commercial truck drivers has increased, according to the most recent nationwide, annual statistics through 2022, when 6.9 percent (198,493) of commercial truck drivers could not legally operate a commercial truck due to an out-of-service safety violation, according to FMCSA data.
Types of truck safety violations
While a commercial truck or a commercial truck driver can be taken out of service for a wide range of safety violations, certain violations are more common than others. According to data collected by the CVSA and the FMCSA, the most common commercial truck driver safety violations are:
- Failure to obey traffic control device (not stopping at a red light or stop sign, disobeying other traffic signs, etc.) – 65,675 violations in 2022.
- Speeding – 63,561 violations.
- False logbook entries (commercial truck drivers must keep a logbook of their daily activity) – 60,856 violations.
- Failure to wear a seat belt while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) – 53,638 violations.
- Operating a CMV without a commercial driver’s license (CDL) – 51,401 violations.
What are the most common commercial truck safety violations in Indiana?
Like the rest of the country, commercial truck drivers in Indiana are often cited for certain safety violations.
According to the most recent data from the FMCSA and the Indiana State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, some of the most common commercial truck driver violations associated with commercial truck wrecks include:
- Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations – Truck drivers who did not take a mandatory rest break as outlined in the federal HOS regulations.
- Unqualified truck drivers – Commercial truck drivers who do not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or who lack the necessary mandatory training or licensing to operate a commercial vehicle legally.
- Defective brakes and unsafe equipment – Defective brakes, bald tires, and other unsafe equipment violations are more common than many people might suspect.
- Distracted driving – Commercial truck drivers cannot text or use a cellphone while driving precisely because it puts everyone on the road at risk.
- Impaired driving – The federal laws for drinking and driving, as well as driving high, are even more strict for commercial truck drivers since the risk of a serious truck accident is so great when drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Indiana truck accident statistics
Despite continued efforts to prevent commercial truck accidents, these collisions continue to occur every year in Indiana. Last year, there were 5,036 accidents involving large commercial trucks in Indiana, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That’s nearly 14 truck accidents per day last year in Indiana.
Here are some other startling numbers: those Indiana truck accidents resulted in 1,690 serious injuries and 131 fatalities. Common causes include:
- Speeding truck drivers.
- Truck drivers who fall asleep at the wheel due to fatigue or impairment.
- Aggressive or reckless truck drivers, including those who change lanes without warning or run a red light.
- Mechanical truck failures, including defective brakes or other mechanical problems.
Get the Fort Wayne truck accident attorneys who will fight for you
A serious truck accident can wreak havoc on your life. In an instant, you or a loved one might not be able to work or do any of the things you probably took for granted before the crash.
Our experienced Fort Wayne truck accident lawyers at Boughter Sinak, LLC, understand how devastating this can be for victims, which is why we help our clients hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable. We know the state and federal laws that apply to commercial truck accidents, what evidence to look for, and how to build strong cases that get results. For instance, in one truck accident case, we recovered $12 million for our client.
Injured in an Indiana truck crash? Put a fighter on your side. Contact Boughter Sinak, LLC, and schedule your free consultation with a Fort Wayne truck accident attorney you can count on in a crisis.
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