A large truck is more dangerous on the road than other vehicles due to its size and the consequences of that. It takes longer to stop, the driver has more limited sight lines, and it requires more space in which to maneuver.
While these factors all play into making accidents involving these vehicles deadly, there are other things that influence why truck accidents occur. But looking at truck accident statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2019, there are certain points worth noting.
Timing
One thing statistics highlight is the most common times truck accidents occur. As expected, they happen the most when more trucks are on the road and traffic is heavier in general. From 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 48% of all truck accidents occurred in 2019. The majority of these were during the work week, with only 17% happening on the weekends. The figures make sense, considering trucks typically are most active during working hours as they move freight to warehouses or businesses. Also, while it might seem nighttime would increase the chances of crashes, it actually is safer when it comes to big trucks because traffic is much lighter.
Location
Another point to think about is where these accidents occur. The statistics make sense when thinking about where trucks are usually going to travel. They will typically be on major roads as opposed to side roads. However, the statistics are a bit different than you may think. Big trucks do travel a lot of freeways and interstates, but the majority of accidents occur on highways or two-lane roads.
Knowing more about where truck accidents happen and what factors play into them can help you to avoid becoming a victim of one.
