Drivers in Ohio frequently hear public safety announcements and reminders about the dangers of distracted driving. Despite the information campaigns, however, distraction continues to pose a danger on the road. In fact, one survey found that 88 percent of American drivers identified distracted driving as the most serious threat to roadway safety. When truck drivers fall victim to distraction, the results can be particularly catastrophic. Trucking accidents can be devastating to other cars and people involved in a collision; passenger vehicles and pedestrians face a much greater risk of fatalities when a large truck is involved.
Spike in big truck accidents increases call for changes
Large trucks in Ohio and other parts of the country aren't required to use crash-avoidance technology, which has long been a concern for some drivers who have to share the road with such vehicles. There is an increased call for industry changes following the release of federal data that shows a nearly 30 percent spike in accidents involving tractor-trailers, semis and other large trucks over a seven-year period. In spite of the increased risk, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not pushed for the mandatory use of crash avoidance technology.
It's time to break down the distracted driving epidemic
Distracted driving really is an epidemic in the United States. Even as drunk driving slowly declines after decades of education and pushback, more and more people are getting in accidents because they simply are not paying attention to the road.
AAA: drivers do not understand limitations of car safety tech
According to federal estimates, car safety tech can prevent about 40 percent of auto accidents and 30 percent of accident-related fatalities. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers in Ohio and across the U.S. are overestimating the abilities of such technology, mistakenly believing that it can replace rather than simply assist them.
