When truck accidents involving passenger vehicles happen, the people in the smaller vehicles are often seriously injured or killed. Preventing accidents involving large trucks can help to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. One way that Kentucky truck drivers can help to prevent accidents with other motorists is to avoid distracted driving. Truck drivers should do several things to keep their attention focused on the roads.
The problem of distracted driving
Many things can distract truck drivers while they are behind the wheel. One of the main types of distractions is a driver’s cellphone. Truck drivers should never dial numbers or read or compose text messages while they are driving. When drivers take their attention away from the road to do these types of things, their trucks can travel several hundred feet when their eyes are not focused on the road. Cell phones are not the only thing that can distract truck drivers. They also need to prevent themselves from being distracted by the onboard electronics in their cabs, billboards, buildings, and other objects around the roads.
Steps to prevent distracted driving accidents
There are several things truck drivers can do to prevent distracted driving accidents. They should never use handheld phones. They should also avoid reading incoming messages or responding to them while driving. Drivers who need to eat while they are behind the wheel should unpack their food items before they leave the restaurant parking lots. They should use Bluetooth headsets so that they can answer incoming calls from dispatchers without taking their eyes from the roads. Once a driver has established the rules for safety inside of their trucks, they should make sure to follow them.
Truck drivers need to do what they can to prevent truck accidents. Drivers should minimize distractions so that they are less likely to be involved in collisions with other vehicles. People who suffer serious injuries and the families of people who are killed in truck accidents might want to consult with experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys. The lawyers may help their clients to recover damages to compensate them for their losses.