When truck drivers get behind the wheel of a transport vehicle or 18-wheeler, the driver has to be ready to cope with any obstacles that might occur during his or her route. Sadly, some drivers operate those large trucks while they are tired or fatigued. When that occurs, drivers can put their lives and the lives of those on the roadways at risk. That is unacceptable.
In approximately 90 percent of heavy vehicle crashes, driver error is at fault. It is no surprise that driver fatigue is one of the causes of those errors. High-risk driving and distracted driving are also to blame for some cases.
The Canadian Motor Vehicle Transport Act sets forth requirements for hours of service. Every trucker and every trucking company is responsible to ensure that truck drivers comply with these regulations. These regulations were set forth to ensure that drivers of these large commercial vehicles aren’t driving while they are fatigued. These regulations aim to provide ample time for the truck driver to rest between driving shifts.
In addition to complying with the hours of service regulations, truck drivers should also be well versed in fatigue management and factors that can affect fatigue. The North American Fatigue Management Program is a program that has training sessions regarding various aspects of driver fatigue.
Anyone who is involved in an 18-wheeler accident might opt to seek compensation. Determining the cause of the accident is one step that is likely going to be necessary during the course of seeking compensation. From there, it is possible to move forward with your claims for compensation.
Source: Transport Canada, “Motor Carrier Safety Research,” accessed July 20, 2015
