Professional truck drivers who have commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are held to a higher standard of conduct than most other drivers. This is in part because they are considered professional drivers and in part because they are entrusted with very large and heavy vehicles that can cause devastating damage to others very quickly. Truck drivers are human and are just as prone to issues like road rage as any other driver. However, a commercial truck driver who becomes enraged can be much more dangerous than most others. When a truck driver gets road rage, he is more likely to cause an accident involving multiple other vehicles and serious injuries or even fatalities. If you were injured in a commercial trucking accident, consult a Will County, IL truck accident lawyer immediately.
Road Rage Risk Factors for Truck Drivers
Truck drivers may be faced with conditions likely to induce road rage at higher rates than other drivers, including:
- Fatigue – Driver fatigue is one of the biggest safety issues facing long-haul truck drivers. These drivers may be on the road for 8 or more hours each day, every day, for days on end. The more exhausted a truck driver becomes, the more likely he is to succumb to road rage.
- Impatience from other drivers – Not all drivers are good about sharing the roads with semi-trucks. Car drivers might hastily pass truck drivers with little warning, pull too closely in front of them, tailgate them, or honk and make rude gestures out of impatience. This can lead to a stressful and frustrating driving experience for commercial truckers.
- Hurried schedules – Semi-truck drivers may face unreasonable time constraints and be under a lot of pressure to make deliveries according to a strict schedule. This can lead to truck drivers becoming impatient or frantic when they are caught in traffic or delayed by factors outside their control.
- Stimulant use – Some truck drivers may resort to using stimulants, both legal and illegal, in an effort to stay awake and alert so they can keep driving long hours. Being under the influence of stimulants can contribute to a driver’s irritation.
While it is understandable that these issues may frustrate reasonable truck drivers, there is no excuse for a truck driver to recklessly or carelessly endanger others due to road rage.
Contact a Plainfield, IL Truck Accident Attorney
Flaherty Law, LLC is experienced in recovering compensation for people who have been injured by a careless or enraged truck driver. Dedicated Will County, IL truck accident lawyer Daniel R. Flaherty has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Contact us at 815-860-5702 for a free consultation.