Speeding Truckers Pose Danger To Drivers In WV, Ohio and PA

Motorists in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania often share the roadways with large commercial trucks. These massive vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and cause a significant amount of damage when an accident occurs.  

When truck drivers exceed the speed limit, that damage can be amplified.  

Motorists who are affected can be severely injured and required to spend months in physical therapy if they are unable to work and collect a paycheck. In extreme cases, a truck accident caused by a speeding driver can result in the death of a loved one. 

The dangerous habits of speeding truck drivers

In an annual survey, SmartDrive examined the speeding habits of truck drivers by monitoring video events. The survey placed speeding habits into four categories: 

1. Drivers exceeding company speed limits for at least three seconds  
2. Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by no more than 10 mph for three seconds 
3. Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 11 mph for three seconds  
4. Driving traveling at a speed of 85 mph or more for at least 10 seconds.  

The survey found that during speeding events, truck drivers were likely to make errors in several areas of safety.  

When it came to collision avoidance:  

• Truck drivers who exceed the speed limit by a maximum of 10 mph are 45 percent more likely to cause a near collision than drivers who don’t.  
• Truckers who caused a crash are 69 percent more likely to have exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph, or 45 percent more likely to have exceeded the speed limit by no more than 10 mph.  

When it came to vehicle control, speeding truck drivers were:  

• 272 percent more likely to have both hands off their steering wheel 
• 169 percent more likely to straddle between lanes 
• 152 percent more likely to change lanes or pass other vehicles dangerously 
• 100 percent more likely to make dangerous turns 
• 59 percent more likely to back up dangerously 
• 53 percent more likely to brake dangerously 

Other driver behaviors of speeding truck drivers include following dangerously close to other vehicles, failing to stop at stop signs and traffic lights, and driving while distracted.  

Injured in a crash? Contact our law office

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by a speeding truck driver, you should never try to handle your claim without first consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney.  

At Recht Law Offices, we proudly serve injured motorists in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.