Alarmingly, Alabama ranks as one of the deadliest states regarding large truck-related road fatalities. While trucking is important to the state, the industry must be aware that long-haul truckers and the companies that employ them remain a threat to public safety.
Collisions involving large trucks can cause devastating damages and horrific results. Among them are life-changing and fatal injuries to drivers and passengers in the smaller vehicles unfortunate enough to have crossed paths with these colossal vehicles that weigh several tons.
Made two dubious lists
According to a report released in November by the Truck Safety Coalition (TSC), Alabama was one of only three states to make two dubious big-rig-related fatality lists. The state ranked No. 3 in the number of large truck-related fatalities per 100,000 residents in 2020.
For the other TSC list, Alabama recorded the 10th most fatalities in collisions involving large trucks. The other states to make both lists were Tennessee and South Carolina.
The Southeast region of the U.S. accounted for nine of the 21 states that made either one of the TSC lists. Besides Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, the other southeastern states to make the lists include Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
The blame lies with a number of players
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,000 people died in the U.S. in collisions involving big-rig trucks in 2020. Also, nearly 147,000 people sustained injuries in such crashes.
Blame for these crashes can be spread among a number of players. That list includes truck drivers, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, truck maintenance firms, cargo-loading companies as well as municipal, state and federal government entities.
Aware, alert and keep your distance
Drivers must remain aware and alert whenever sharing roads with large trucks. A collision with one of these monstrous vehicles does not favor the occupants of smaller vehicles. The devastation caused by a large truck crash may lead to debilitating and fatal injuries. Please keep your distance from large trucks.
