(Photo credit: Oregon Department of Transportation/Creative Commons)
Driving a truck is very different than operating a car, which is why employees need to have a separate driver’s license to legally operate the vehicle.
One important aspect of driving a truck is ensuring that the vehicle is being operated in a safe manner. It’s important that a driver is a good state of mind, which includes not being a distracted, intoxicated or fatigued while driving since it could make a difference in whether they’re involved in a crash.
Within the last decade (2005 to 2014), 696 people died from collisions with a large commercial transport truck, according to the OPP. Among those deaths, 92 truck drivers were killed and 604 occupants of other vehicles involved in the collision were killed. In cases where the truck driver was killed, 70 of those drivers were reported as not properly driving their vehicles at the time of the collision.
Many commercial truck collisions make the news due to the impact of their crash. On March 23, westbound lanes of Highway 401 were shut down after a tractor trailer fell off the ramp of Hwy. 404 and onto the 401. Two other vehicles were hit by the tractor-trailer, but only the driver suffered minor injuries. The 21-year-old truck driver was later charged with careless driving.
While on March 18, a massive pileup involving about 30 tractor trailers closed down eastbound Highway 401 lanes for hours. About 50 vehicles were involved in a pileup due to poor weather conditions. Luckily, only four people were hurt with non life-threatening injuries, but one tractor trailer spilled 40,000 litres of oil onto the highway.
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old truck driver was recently charged with careless driving after the truck he was operating drove into the support beam of the Thunder Centre shopping plaza sign in Thunder Bay, according to CBC News. The incident took place on Feb. 5 and police allege that fatigue was a factor in the incident. The driver was taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries and the tanker container remained intact.
When driving near a truck, whether it’s on the highway or on busy roads or streets, it’s important to leave enough room between yourself and the truck to ensure for safe stopping or lane switches, Also, pedestrians should ensure that truck drivers can see them when crossing the road, especially at night.
The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers will ensure that the accident benefits you claim are legitimate. We have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.
Greg Neinstein
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