Road Rage with an 18-Wheeler can be Deadly

Road rage is dangerous no matter what types of vehicles are involved, but road rage with an 18-wheeler can be deadly. Most of us have probably participated in road rage or witnessed it at one point in time. Drivers get angry and tailgate or cut other vehicles off. The fact of the matter is that aggressive driving is risky, especially when a large truck is involved.

Years ago, the Honorable Ricardo Martinez, M.D., Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, went before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, part of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss aggressive driving. Martinez defined aggressive driving as, "driving behavior that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property."

Martinez went on to say that aggressive drivers are more likely to exhibit bad driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, weaving in-and-out of traffic, passing on the right and making unsafe lane changes. Aggressive drivers are also more prone to run stop signs and red lights, make hand and facial gestures, honk and flash their lights.

Truckers are usually under extreme pressure to get their deliveries to their destinations on time. This pressure can lead to stress, frustration and may even cause the trucker to forgo sleep in an effort to stay on schedule. These factors can make truckers more apt to participate in aggressive driving.

When a trucker is aggressive and tailgates or cuts another vehicle off, it is extremely dangerous for the vehicles involved. A tractor trailer cannot stop at the same rate as a passenger vehicle, making potential accidents harder to avoid. If a large truck is tailgating another car and that car has to slow down, the chances of a rear end collision are high.

If you or a family member has been injured in a Kentucky truck accident, you need to contact a Louisville truck accident attorney immediately. Contact the Louisville truck accident lawyers at Gray and White Law at 1-502-637-6000 or 1-800-637-6033 for a free legal consultation.