Fatal North Carolina truck accident possibly due to driver fatigue

April 10, 2013

When commercial truck drivers fail to be alert and drive safely the consequences can be deadly. In March 2013, a truck driver pleaded guilty to multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter in a tragic North Carolina truck accident that resulted in five people losing their lives. The truck driver faces up to a five year prison sentence.

The October 2010 accident occurred in Henderson County, when the truck driver was going east on I-26. A string of cars was stalled due to another accident, and the truck driver crashed into the stopped vehicles. Investigators reported that the speedometer of the truck was at 70 mph. Driver fatigue contributed to the truck collision according to a state trooper.

Truck driver fatigue and the debate over federal regulations

Unfortunately, that North Carolina truck accident is one of many fatal accidents involving big rigs that happen each year. In 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 80,000 people sustained injuries from truck-related accidents, and over 3,500 people died in accidents involving large trucks. Compared to 2009, these fatalities rose 8.7 percent. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reported that driver fatigue is to blame in 13 percent of truck accidents.

In an effort to prevent truck driver fatigue the FMCSA has sought to further limit the amount of time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel. In a recent rule the FMCSA required drivers to have 34 hours of rest per week, including two nights off in a row. The agency also maintained the rule that drivers are limited to 11 hours behind the wheel each day.

Although such rules may seem like common sense to many, trucking industry groups have continually protested these types of regulations. The American Trucking Associations Inc. (ATA) argues the driver fatigue rules are costly and offer few safety benefits. Specifically the ATA says the rules would increase industry costs by $470 million per year, and would force more trucks on the road during rush hour resulting in delays. Moreover, the agency questions the data used by the FMCSA, saying that although driver fatigue may be present in more accidents, it is only the cause of about two percent of truck collisions.

On the other hand, safety advocates do not think the FMCSA rules go far enough to protect motorists. They are also concerned about loopholes that may allow trucking companies to get around the driving limitations.

Regardless of the changing rules, statistics show the trucking industry has much room for improvement in regards to preventing driver fatigue. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, driver fatigue may be to blame. An experienced truck accident attorney can work to ensure the cause of your accident is thoroughly investigated and the parties responsible are held accountable.

Article provided by Nagle & Associates, P.A.
Visit us at www.carolinatrucklawyer.com