Reckless driving.
Truckers have a higher duty of care than the drivers of smaller vehicles, since trucks weigh much more and can do far more damage in a crash. Speeding, road rage, following another vehicle too closely, unsafe lane changes, and failing to signal a lane change can all be considered reckless driving.
Texting or talking on phones.
It is against federal law for truckers to text while driving, and drivers are forbidden from talking on phones without a hands-free device.
Using drugs.
Drivers may use stimulants or other dangerous drugs to stay awake on long shifts, to cope with chronic pain, or to deal with the boredom of long drives.
Training gaps.
Driving a car is far different from operating a commercial vehicle, and a truck driver who has not received the proper training may not handle his truck safely on the roads.
Overloading.
An overloaded vehicle will be harder to stop, have a higher impact, and is more likely to roll over in a crash. Although federal regulations determine how much cargo each commercial truck and trailer can legally carry, drivers may overload their trucks in order to make bigger deliveries more quickly.
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