Commercial truck driving is a difficult job that requires significant training and experience to do safely. New and inexperienced truck drivers lack the skills and knowledge needed to operate large trucks, making them more likely to cause accidents, especially with passenger vehicles. Sadly, there were 4,014 truck accident fatalities in 2022. Understanding why novice truckers are high-risk can help improve safety for everyone on the road. In this article on why inexperienced truck drivers more likely to cause car accidents, we’ll look at the factors that come into play.
Lack of Experience Operating Large Vehicles
One of the biggest challenges for new truck drivers is the size and handling of a large commercial vehicle. The average 18-wheeler truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds without a load. This is over 20 times heavier than a typical passenger car. Operating such a massive vehicle takes skill and familiarity.
Inexperienced truckers may not judge distances or clearances properly. They can take turns too widely or too tightly and swing into other lanes. Accident injury lawyers know that new drivers may also accelerate too slowly or brake too late, which can cause rear-end collisions. Having little experience maneuvering large trucks makes it more likely that novice operators will end up in an accident.
Insufficient Training on Safety Protocols
Truck drivers have to follow certain protocols to drive safely, from inspecting their vehicles to securing cargo. New truckers may not have adequate training on these procedures. For example, an improperly loaded trailer can cause the truck to tip over or jackknife. Not correctly checking tire pressure, lights, and other components can lead to equipment failure and accidents, as any good personal injury law firm knows.
Without proper education on safety protocols, inexperienced truck drivers lack the knowledge to prevent crashes. Fatigued or impaired driving, distracted driving, and speeding are more prevalent among new operators as well. Insufficient safety training contributes to the higher accident rate.
Lack of Hazard Perception Skills
An important part of safe driving is perceiving hazards and reacting appropriately. This ability develops over time through experience. New truck drivers, like all novice motorists, have less skill in scanning for risks, judging speed and distance, and anticipating how situations may unfold.
Poor hazard perception makes it harder for inexperienced truckers to take defensive action to avoid crashes. They may not brake soon enough for slowing traffic or see another vehicle cutting in front. With limited ability to identify dangers, new truck drivers are more likely to end up in accidents.
Difficulty Handling Challenging Road Conditions
Truck driving involves navigating all kinds of road conditions, from congested highways to rural two-lane roads. New drivers will encounter challenges like heavy traffic, construction zones, inclement weather, and steep downgrades. It takes time to learn how to handle a heavy truck safely in these situations.
In heavy rain or snow, for instance, a truck may hydroplane or slide if the driver does not know the right techniques for maintaining control. Unfamiliarity with managing the truck’s weight on downhill grades also leads to more loss-of-control accidents. Without experience driving under various road conditions, novice truckers struggle to adjust their driving, increasing their crash risk.
Lack of Familiarity with New Routes
An experienced truck driver grows familiar with regular routes and destinations. A new driver who is still learning the ins and outs of different roads, intersections, merging lanes, and more can easily make mistakes. Unfamiliarity contributes to improper lane changes, missed turns, and other errors that boost accident risk.
Until a new trucker learns a route thoroughly, navigating unfamiliar areas heightens stress as well. This distraction makes it harder for inexperienced drivers to operate their truck safely. As drivers log more miles in new territories, they will gradually reduce their accident risk by becoming more comfortable with the routes.
How Training and Experience Can Make Truck Driving Safer
While any driver can cause an accident, data shows that the majority are preventable. Comprehensive training and experience are key to reducing crashes involving large trucks.
Graduated licensing programs for commercial drivers could help. With this approach, new truckers gain experience under supervision, are restricted to lower-risk driving situations at first, and have their skills tested at multiple points before being licensed.
Along with formal training, new truckers need mentoring from experienced drivers once on the job. Companies should provide ongoing education to develop hazard perception, safe driving techniques, and more.
Safety Technologies
Safety technologies can make a difference:
- Collision avoidance systems – These systems use radars and cameras to detect potential collisions ahead and provide warnings to the driver or even automatically brake the truck if the driver does not respond in time. This helps compensate for lack of hazard perception skills in new drivers.
- Lane departure warnings – If the truck begins to drift out of the lane, an alert will notify the driver. This assists new drivers with staying centered in their lane.
- Stability control – Sensors can detect if the truck is in danger of rolling over or jackknifing. The system can then automatically brake individual wheels to stabilize the truck. This helps inexperienced drivers maintain control.
- Fatigue/distraction monitoring – In-cab cameras and sensors track eye and head movements to determine if the driver is distracted or drowsy. Warnings get sent if needed, addressing unsafe driving behaviors.
- Speed limiters – Trucks can be set to automatically limit top speeds to safe levels. This prevents new drivers from speeding beyond their experience level.
- Telematics – Fleet managers can monitor location, speed, acceleration, and other data remotely. Irregular driving can be flagged for additional training.
- Backup cameras/sensors – Cameras and proximity sensors on the rear of the truck provide better visibility and warn when objects are close. This aids in reversing, a difficult skill for new drivers.
The combination of training and technology support helps compensate for lack of experience and reduces the risk of accidents among novice truck drivers. Companies that invest in safety-focused technologies demonstrate their priority and commitment to keeping new drivers, vehicles, and the public safe.
How an Accident Lawyer Can Help
A car accident lawyer Fontana CA from Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys can help if you’ve been in an accident with an inexperienced truck driver. A Fontana car accident lawyer can represent you if you have suffered injuries or losses due to a truck driver’s negligence.
Call 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) to speak with a truck accident lawyer Fontana CA from Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys today.
