Trucks are a regular sight to see in Washington. Sadly, with so many traveling so frequently, more accidents have occurred in the state.
Why are more truck accidents occurring?
Washington has seen a rise in serious truck accidents in recent months. The biggest factor leading to these devastating crashes has been truck drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Recently, a tow truck driver was killed after being struck by a semi-truck. The driver of the semi-truck was arrested for DUI and vehicular manslaughter. The trucker was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.
The number of truck crashes has increased since 2019. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also released data showing that 1,203 out of 56,000 urinalysis tests performed on truck drivers ended up positive for alcohol. However, the remaining tests were positive for drugs.
This is a scary statistic as trucks already pose significant dangers to everyone on the road. If a big rig accident occurs, it can result in catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and burn injuries. In the worst-case scenario such as in the case of the tow truck driver, people can die from injuries sustained in a crash.
What can you do when sharing the road with a truck?
If a car driver or passenger notices a truck operating erratically on the road, they need to be as careful as possible. If it’s at all possible, avoiding the truck might keep you safe in the event of an accident. You might want to pull over to the side of the road to let the truck pass.
Calling 911 immediately is essential if you believe the trucker is under the influence. If you can get the license plate or other numbers, you can report them when you call.
If you’re on the road in front of or behind the truck, make sure you give plenty of space and avoid the truck’s blind spots. Never pass a truck from the right.