Preventing Truck Rollover Crashes

Truck rollover crashes pose a significant danger to professional drivers, accounting for 50 percent of large truck occupant fatalities according to truck crash statistics.1

Repairing or replacing equipment and cargo damaged in such incidents can lead to substantial expenses, especially when considering recovery, towing, and cleanup costs for fuel or hazardous cargo spills. However, the most significant cost of all is the liability when others are injured.

To prevent rollovers, drivers should be vigilant about their speed, as excessive speed is the primary cause in 45 percent of rollover accidents.2

Slowing down is crucial, particularly when navigating curves, where two-thirds of speed-related rollovers occur, often on highway entrance and exit ramps. Large trucks should reduce speed even further than posted advisory limits designed for passenger vehicles, especially those with high centers of gravity.3 Excessive speed on straight roads is also dangerous, reducing reaction time and vehicle stability, particularly on steep grades.

Another key factor in rollovers is driver distraction, contributing to 23 percent of incidents.4 Distractions such as objects by the roadside, cell phone usage, or texting can lead to momentary lapses in attention, potentially causing drivers to miss hazards, misjudge turns, or drift off the road.

Drowsy driving is a common cause of rollovers, with adequate rest being essential to maintaining alertness. 5 Avoiding late-night driving is advisable when the urge to sleep is strongest.

Ensuring cargo is properly loaded and secured is crucial, as a higher center of gravity increases rollover risk. Regular pre-trip inspections should include checking tires and brakes for optimal functionality.

Finally, maintaining good health is essential, as some rollovers result from drivers becoming ill or losing consciousness while driving.6 Regular physical check-ups and proactive medical consultation when feeling unwell can help prevent such incidents. In case of illness while driving, finding a safe place to park and seeking assistance is paramount.

For more driver training and risk management resources, contact INSURICA today.

Sources

1 2020 Large Truck Fatality Facts, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks#comparison-of-large-truck-and-passenger-vehicle-crashes
2, 4, 5, 6 Analysis of Large Truck Rollover Crashes, American Association of Automotive Medicine, 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3256782/
3 CMV Driving Tips – Too Fast for Conditions, FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-too-fast-conditions

This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.