Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Truckers may know they are driving the most dangerous and threatening vehicles on the road, but they don’t always act like it. Many truck drivers are known to switch lanes, cut off cars, speed, and drive recklessly. This kind of driving behavior can pose significant hazards and ultimately result in accidents and wrongful death.
Despite training sessions, federal laws, and common knowledge that larger trucks are dangerous, many drivers will continue to flout state and federal laws just to get in another mile or two in the fast lane. In addition to frustrating other drivers on the road, these truckers are creating serious hazards and potentially risking the lives of motorists and their passengers. Our Fort Lauderdale trucking accident attorneys are committed to protecting victims who have been affected by these tragedies. We continue to remain dedicated to raising awareness to prevent future accidents and injury.
A recent crackdown on aggressive drivers has helped to reduce deadly big rig accidents by 40%. Police have started a campaign to catch and penalize unsafe truck drivers. The campaign, known as the “Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT)” program, targeted aggressive drivers of both tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. Florida will be conducting a similar campaign through the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
The program is funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and aims to reduce the total number of fatalities and accidents by stopping and penalizing aggressive drivers.
Taking action against truckers must involve motorists, private organizations and members of law enforcement. This program was able to successfully target unsafe drivers and has written nearly 2,000 tickets for speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and other traffic violations.
In addition to warning truck drivers of the potential dangers that they pose to motorists, authorities behind the initiative also want to warn drivers that they could suffer serious and fatal injuries if involved in a truck collision. Aggressive driving may involve racing other drivers, speeding ahead, cutting another driver off, or becoming physically or verbally aggressive. Not only are these behaviors distracting, but erratic driving can leave you unable to defend yourself if cars come to a sudden stop. If you suffer from road rage, remember the risk you face when on the freeway with an oversized big rig. Speeding or cutting off a tractor-trailer may seem gratifying at first, but the risks are not worth it.
If you witness a reckless truck driver on the road, remember that you can report unsafe driving to the trucking company (if a number is available) or to the Department of Transportation. The DOT routinely investigates unsafe driving and will contact trucking companies. In some cases, a driver may suffer from a drug or alcohol condition or may have a bad habit of driving recklessly. Reporting truckers who drive dangerously or have road rage can prevent future accidents and injury. If you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck, an experienced attorney can help you protect your rights.
If you or someone you love was injured, contact Freeman Injury Law at 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Summer, Distracted Driving and the Increased Risk of Red-Light Collisions, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 18, 2013
Car Accidents and Teenage Fatalities on the Rise in Florida, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, April 30, 2013