What do you think is the cause of the increasing number of truck (car, cycling, pedestrian) accidents?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported a 10% increase in motor vehicle crash deaths from 2020 to 2021 and, unfortunately, those numbers keep rising. We queried law experts and other car pros across the nation to find out some of the reasons why traffic crashes, and fatalities, continue to escalate. Read on to see what they had to say:
Andrew Pickett

Andrew Pickett

Trial Attorney at .

Negligence, Careless Driving

In my experience, the increasing number of truck (car, cycling, pedestrian) accidents is largely due to negligence and careless driving. People may be distracted by their phones or simply not paying attention on the road. I also encountered cases where reckless driving, poor visibility of vehicles, and a lack of safety measures were the leading causes.

Distracted Driving

I have observed a growing number of accidents and believe distracted driving is to blame.

With sound systems, GPS navigation, phones, and other devices inside cars now commonplace, it’s easy for a driver to become distracted. The split-second distraction can cause drivers to veer out of their lane or react too late to a hazard. Moreover, due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, the consequences can be catastrophic.

I believe that all drivers should adhere to basic safety protocols when out on the road. This means refraining from eating a snack, texting and talking on the phone, or fiddling with a GPS. Self-driving vehicles may also help reduce the number of accidents but pose their own safety issues.

Nick Rivadeneira

Nick Rivadeneira

CEO and Founder of .
Micheal Callahan

Micheal Callahan

Human Error, Inadequate Infrastructure, Lack of Awareness About Road Safety

Several variables contribute to this trend. Human error, such as distracted driving, speeding, driving while impaired, fatigue, and disobedience to traffic laws, is the primary cause. Inadequate infrastructure, such as poor road design, inadequate signage, and the absence of pedestrian crossings, also contributes. Moreover, a lack of awareness and education about road safety, an increase in traffic volume, and technological distractions such as smartphone use all contribute to these accidents.

This issue necessitates a comprehensive strategy involving government entities, law enforcement agencies, transportation authorities, urban planners, and road users. Important measures for reducing accidents and promoting safer road environments include stricter enforcement of traffic laws, enhanced infrastructure and road design, public education campaigns, and educational programs.

It is essential to note that accident causes can vary based on specific circumstances. If you or someone you know has been involved in such an accident, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney who specializes in personal injury and traffic law. They can offer customized advice based on the particulars of the case.

Driver Fatigue, Distracted Driving, Increased Traffic Density

1. Driver fatigue: Long hours of driving can lead to driver fatigue, affecting reaction times and decision-making capabilities. Regulations that mandate rest periods for truck drivers are often overlooked due to tight deadlines, resulting in tired drivers on the road.

2. Distracted driving: The increasing use of smartphones and in-vehicle technology has led to a significant rise in distracted-driving incidents. These distractions make it challenging for truck drivers to maintain focus on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

3. Increased traffic density: Growing urbanization and commercial activities have contributed to increased traffic density on roads. This often leads to congested roads and highways, increasing the chances of collisions.

4. Inadequate training: In some cases, truck drivers may not receive proper training before hitting the road, which can significantly impact their driving skills, further contributing to accidents.

5. Poorly maintained vehicles: Some trucking companies may neglect necessary maintenance, leading to issues such as brake failure or tire blowouts, which can result in severe accidents.

Min Hwan Ahn

Min Hwan Ahn

Founder of .
Karan Tiwari

Karan Tiwari

Content Manager at .

Impaired or Reckless Driving, Lack of Education and Awareness

There are several reasons why there are more crashes involving trucks, cars, bikes, and people walking.

Distracted driving: The use of cell phones and other things that can be distracting while driving has led to more crashes. Texting, talking on the phone, or using a navigation system can take your mind off the road, which can cause crashes.

Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue is a big problem for truck drivers and can make it harder for them to drive safely. Long work hours, not enough breaks, and busy plans can all lead to driver fatigue, which makes accidents more likely.

Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medicines is still a big cause of accidents. Drunk drivers have slower reaction times, worse judgment, and less coordination, which makes them more likely to get into crashes.

Speeding and Driving Recklessly: Excessive speed and careless driving, like aggressive overtaking, following too close, or ignoring traffic signals, cause a lot of crashes. Speeding makes it harder for a driver to respond to sudden changes on the road and makes crashes worse.

Infrastructure and road construction that aren’t up to par: Roads that aren’t built or kept up well, don’t have the right signs, aren’t well lit, and don’t have enough space for pedestrians and cyclists can make accidents more likely. If you don’t pay enough attention to these things, it can make the road unsafe for everyone.

Lack of Education and Awareness: Bad driving habits can be caused by a lack of driver education and awareness programs. Many drivers may not have enough training in defensive driving, sharing the road with bikes and pedestrians, or knowing the limits of big vehicles like trucks.

Population Growth and More Traffic: A larger population and more traffic mean that there are more cars on the road, which makes accidents more likely. As more people move, the chance of accidents between cars, trains, and planes also goes up.

To stop the rising number of accidents, we need a multifaceted plan that includes strict enforcement of traffic laws, better driver education and training, better infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, and technology advances in vehicle safety features. Also, getting everyone on the road to act responsibly and building a safety culture can help cut down on accidents and make the roads safer for everyone.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.