Despite all the public service announcements, reminders and potential for fines, distracted driving is still a big issue in Texas. In 2023, distracted driving was responsible for almost one out of every six wrecks on this state’s roads.
While all distracted driving accidents have the potential to be serious, those involving semis and other big trucks can be disastrous. The sheer size and weight of a big rig means that any accident involving one can take a much greater human and financial toll than a wreck between two smaller vehicles.
What causes truckers to engage in distracted driving
Everybody knows the risks associated with distracted driving, so why do people – especially professional truck drivers – still take the chance? Here are some possible reasons:
- They rely on electronics: Even though the use of handheld devices and cellular phones behind the wheel is forbidden in Texas, truckers still have communication radios in their vehicles to stay in touch with their dispatchers and GPS devices so they can find their routes or check for upcoming traffic delays.
- They get tired and bored: Long truck rides can be monotonous, and that can cause truckers to get bored. Boredom and fatigue can lead to the temptation to sneak a peek at their phones, grab a snack or have another sip of coffee – all of which are distractions behind the wheel.
- They fall for the myth of multitasking: Multitasking was once so highly regarded that people proudly put their ability to handle more than one thing at a time on their resumes. The only problem is that multitasking is a myth. In reality, multitasking requires people to rapidly switch their attention from one thing to another, and they lose the ability to filter out what’s not actually important.
Statistically, 71% of large-truck crashes relate to distracted driving on the part of the truck driver. If you’re in a wreck with a big rig, there’s no question that the trucking company will have a legal team working on their side. You deserve someone working on yours.