Truck Maintenance and Statistics

Continuing suggestions for truck maintenance:

• a vehicle that has been sitting unused for a few days will need to be checked for insect nests in its fuel vent prior to driving. An insect nest will block the fuel vent and cause the vehicle to appear as if it is out of gas.
• Finally, here’s a big one. Always make sure that the vehicle’s brakes are check often. When applying an 18-wheeler’s brakes and vibration is felt or a squealing sound is heard, then it’s time to check the brakes. Poorly maintained brake systems will not only result in vehicle downtime – but it can result in a serious accident, as well.

These suggestions represent some of the things that a driver can do to properly maintain a vehicle. But it doesn’t stop there. Materials that are used to secure a load must also be checked as well as engine performance via regular tune ups. Truck accident statistics demonstrate the need to adhere to strict standards, when it comes to performance and vehicle condition. Some related truck accident statistics:

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in 1998, that 13% of all traffic deaths involved large trucks. Out of these fatalities, 78% were occupants of a vehicle other than the truck.
• Of the trucks that have received out-of-service violations, over 1/3 of them had brake-related issues. (reported by the Federal Highway Administration, in 1998)
• Combining a poorly maintained vehicle with fatigue can be a deadly combination. Federal regulations will allow a truck driver to drive up to 16 hrs. a day. However,
• Federal regulations allow drivers of large trucks to drive up to 16 hours a day. However, drivers can accumulate 60 hours in less than 5 days by alternating 10 hours of maximum allowed continuous driving with the minimum 8 hours non-driving time.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

Truck accidents due to lack of maintenance can have many serious and long-term effects. If you’ve been involved in a recent truck accident, you may wish to contact College Station truck accident lawyers Todd Elias and Steven J. Gordon at their office in Houston, Texas.