Larger commercial trucks present significant dangers on the roadway, even when the driver operates the vehicle completely legally and safely. These are large vehicles that could cause significant property damage and injuries in the event an accident occurs with other vehicles. When a commercial truck driver operates at a high rate of speed, this significantly increases the dangers to other drivers. Here, we want to discuss the main consequences of speeding commercial trucks.
Speeding is Taken Seriously by Regulators
According to information available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there is a minimum disqualification of 60 days for drivers who operate at an excessive speed, which is defined as 15 mph or more over the speed limit. Additionally, there’s a disqualification of 60 days for driving recklessly, which a driver could also be charged with if they operate above the speed limit.
Why Is Speeding So Dangerous for a Truck Driver?
Speeding is a serious problem for drivers of larger trucks. First, we need to state that most drivers operate within the proper parameters when it comes to speed limits. Just about every facet of operating these vehicles is tracked by employers, and any employer that wants to stay within the letter of the law with state and federal regulators will ensure their drivers do not operate above the speed limit.
However, with the significant increase in goods that need to be shipped across the country, there is added pressure on both drivers and trucking carriers to speed up delivery times. There are already requirements related to how many hours a driver can operate during each day and week, so one way that drivers attempt to make up for these limitations is by going a little bit faster to try and reach the destination sooner.
However, fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When this is compared to traditional passenger vehicles that may only weigh between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds, we can see that this significant weight discrepancy could lead to substantial property damage and injuries in the event a collision occurs.
When a commercial truck is going too fast, this will significantly jeopardize the safety of others on the roadway.
- The truck will no longer be able to stop in time to avoid a collision or a hazard on the roadway.
- The truck could roll over if they have to go around a sharper curve when speeding. Maintaining control of larger trucks around curves can be challenging, particularly at higher speeds.
- Collisions that occur at higher speeds naturally cause more property damage and injuries, regardless of the type of vehicle in question.
The issue here is not only operating above the speed limit but also driving too fast for conditions. There are various reasons why truck drivers may need to operate below the speed limit, including hazardous weather, traffic, and obstacles on the roadway. A driver could certainly be considered to be speeding if they are going below the speed limit, particularly if the current speed is too fast for the conditions on the roadway.
What To Do After A Truck Accident
The Santa Ana truck accident lawyers at Callahan & Blaine have handled countless commercial truck accident cases involving speeding truck drivers. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact the attorneys at Callahan & Blaine for experienced legal help. The team of Santa Ana personal injury attorneys at our law firm have the skills and resources to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
