Every year, an estimated 4,000 people die in trucking accidents in the United States. Although those numbers have declined over the past few years, as federal regulators has tightened trucking safety regulations, the fact is that too many people are killed every year in accidents that involve tractor trailers, 18-wheelers and semi rigs.

Commercial drivers have a much bigger responsibility to drive safely than passenger vehicle drivers. That’s because of the devastating impact of commercial trucking accidents, and the high risk for injuries and multiple fatalities when these vehicles are involved in a collision. It’s also the reason why the federal administration has much stricter regulations governing truck drivers, than for passenger vehicle drivers.

One of those regulations concerns alcohol use while driving. Commercial truck drivers are subjected to a much lower blood-alcohol concentration limit of .04% while driving, compared to the general limit of .08% for passenger vehicle drivers. The heavy potential for catastrophic injuries and fatalities involving trucking accidents is the reason for such higher standards.

Truck drivers are also subjected to random drug and alcohol tests, in order to reduce the risks involving a driver who is operating a large 80,000-pound vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

In spite of heavy trucking safety regulations, however, many trucks every year are involved in devastating accidents that lead to life-altering injuries. Many accidents every year are caused because of:

• Driver fatigue
• Driver inattention
• Lack of training
• Driver speeding
• Intoxicated driving
• Malfunctioning truck parts
• Overloading