Safety Violations in the Trucking Industry

Many commercial trucks and truck drivers get cited for safety violations. Some are serious enough that the driver and their big rigs are ordered off the road until the violations are corrected.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the U.S. interstate trucking industry, conducts inspections and actively solicits complaints about truck safety issues. The Indiana State Police also has a division dedicated to commercial motor vehicle enforcement. You don’t have to wait for a semi-truck accident to occur to report an unsafe truck on Indiana highways. If you witness a situation involving a commercial truck that is posing an immediate threat to others, you should dial 911.

You also can use the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database to file a complaint about a truck or driver safety issue ranging from speeding or driving recklessly to a flatbed that has improperly secured cargo or a tanker truck that is leaking. The complaints are used to help make decisions about which companies FMCSA will investigate.

Common Safety Violations by Truck Drivers

The FMCSA says some of the most common safety violations associated with driving a commercial motor vehicle are:

• Moving violations, such as:
  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Improper lane changes
  • Improper turns
  • Failure to yield to the right of way
  • Railroad grade crossing violations.
  • Failure to obey a traffic control device.
  • Reckless driving.

Speeding and following too closely are major safety concerns because large trucks require much more room than passenger cars to stop. Speeding, driving too fast for conditions, and tailgating are among the most common causes of truck accidents.

Tractor-trailers have blind spots on all sides that are wider and longer than the blind spots of passenger vehicles. Truck drivers must use all the means available to them, such as a truck’s multiple mirrors and cameras to keep track of nearby vehicles, including those in blind spots. Truck drivers must make sure a lane is unoccupied before merging into the lane.

Truckers who use a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a CMV and/or driving a commercial motor vehicle while texting may be cited by police. A truck driver who is punching numbers into a phone or texting isn’t fully focused on what is happening around them. They are also violating federal law and possibly Indiana law.

Another common safety violation is failure to use a seat belt while operating a CMV. Section 392.16 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations says a CMV that has a seat belt assembly installed at the driver’s seat shall not be driven unless the driver has properly restrained himself or herself with the seat belt.

A truck driver who is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs risks losing their commercial driver’s license if convicted of the violation. Truck drivers can be impaired by over-the-counter drugs as well.

Truck Driver Safety Checklist

Commercial truck drivers are responsible for inspecting their vehicles daily and complying with Hours of Service regulations, which dictate how many hours per day a commercial driver may spend driving.

The FMCSA’s road safety tips for truck and bus drivers advise drivers to:

• Check blind spots
• Be aware of long stopping distances
• Make wide turns carefully
• Drive at a safe speed
• Stay focused and avoid distracted driving
• Buckle up
• Always use turn signals
• Maintain your vehicle
• Plan your trip in advance
• Practice work zone safety

Contact Our Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck drivers know what they are supposed to do on the road and in preparation for getting their big rigs on the road. If a trucker violates federal or state laws and causes a truck accident, those harmed may seek accountability.

The dedicated truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC in Indianapolis, IN, pursue truck accident claims for clients on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe us a legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you through a settlement or court award. Contact us today by telephone at (800) 746-0226 or online for a free consultation.