Yes, You Should Report Dangerous Truck Drivers in Virginia

We’ve all seen “How’s my driving” signs on the back of trucks encouraging other motorists to report unsafe driving behaviors, but most people don’t take the company up on the invitation. Instead, they do their best to stay away from the truck, and once they’re out of harm’s way, don’t give the incident much more thought. However, unsafe truckers threaten other drivers on the road, and we all have a duty to report them to potentially save lives.

Why are unsafe truck drivers such a hazard?

Unsafe truck drivers pose significant dangers on the road due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, which can result in more severe consequences in the event of a Richmond truck accident. Here are several reasons why unsafe truck drivers can be particularly hazardous:

• Truck size and weight: At 72 feet long, 13.5 feet tall, eight-and-half feet wide, and up to 80,000 pounds, commercial trucks, especially tractor-trailers, are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. The sheer mass of these trucks makes collisions more likely to result in severe injuries.
• Increased force of impact: The force generated by a collision involving a large truck is much greater than that of a typical passenger vehicle collision and, consequently, can result in more severe injuries for occupants of both the truck and other vehicles involved.
• Limited maneuverability: Trucks have limited maneuverability compared to smaller vehicles, and unsafe driving practices—aggressive or reckless driving—can exacerbate this limitation and increase the likelihood of accidents.
• Extended stopping distance: Due to their size and weight, trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop. Unsafe driving behaviors, such as tailgating or speeding, can reduce drivers’ ability to stop in time to avoid a collision.
• Driver fatigue: Many truck drivers experience fatigue due to long hours on the road, irregular schedules, and tight deadlines. Fatigue negatively impacts reaction times and decision-making abilities, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
• Improper loading: If cargo is not properly loaded and secured, it can shift during transit, leading to instability, loss of control, and increased risk of serious accidents.
• Lack of maintenance: Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they are in proper working condition. Unsafe truck drivers may neglect maintenance, leading to mechanical failures that can cause accidents.
• Blind spots: Trucks have substantial blind spots, particularly on the sides and rear. If a truck driver is not attentive or fails to check blind spots, they may inadvertently collide with other vehicles.
• Aggressive driving: Truck drivers who engage in hostile driving behaviors like tailgating, speeding, and weaving between lanes can create dangerous situations on the road and increase the risk of accidents.
• Lack of training or experience: Inexperienced or poorly trained truck drivers might struggle to manage the complexities of operating a large commercial vehicle, leading to unsafe driving practices and a higher risk of accidents.

Addressing these and other issues through rigorous training, adherence to safety regulations, proper maintenance, and effective oversight by trucking companies and regulatory authorities is crucial to promoting road safety and preventing commercial truck accidents.

Reporting unsafe truck drivers in Virginia

Reporting unsafe truck drivers to the appropriate authorities can contribute to mitigating the risks associated with dangerous driving behaviors. Here are three ways to report a dangerous truck driver in Virginia:

Call the trucking company

A trucking company can be held liable for accidents and injuries caused by the drivers they employ, and as a result, most trucking companies want to know about unsafe drivers operating in their name. So when you see a “How’s my driving?” sign on a truck with a phone number for the trucking company, call it—but not while you are driving. Instead, stop somewhere safe or have an adult passenger make the call.

If you don’t see a sign, you may be able to identify the truck owner by finding a company name on the truck or a number on the side of the truck preceded by the letters USDOT. You can also identify the truck owner by searching by DOT number on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.

Call the police

If a commercial truck is being operated in a way that creates an immediate danger, you should contact local police at 911. On a rural state highway or interstate, call *55 from a cell phone or call the Virginia Highway Patrol at (804) 674-2000 or the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at (804) 497-7100. If you have a dashcam and it captures the dangerous driving behavior, be sure to mention this when reporting, as video evidence can be valuable when assessing the situation.

What constitutes dangerous driving behavior on the part of a trucker? When a truck is excessively speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, aggressively passing, having trouble staying in its lane, or otherwise operating in a dangerous manner, notifying law enforcement is the appropriate action to take.

Call the government

Trucking is one of the most highly regulated industries in the U.S., and rules and regulations are imposed on truck drivers and trucking companies by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). If you witnessed a truck violating FMCSA regulations within the last 90 days, you can report it to the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238). Your complaint must contain, at a minimum:

• Your name, address, and telephone number
• The name, address, and telephone number of the trucking company
• Origin and destination of the shipment
• The Department of Transportation and Motor Carrier (trucking company) identification numbers, if available
• Specific violation(s) being alleged

Typically, the FMCSA must receive multiple complaints about a driver or company before it will investigate, so your complaint could help to establish a pattern that will inspire action.

Unsafe truck driving behavior puts us all at risk. If you observe a truck driver operating their vehicle in a dangerous manner, report it to the proper authorities. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an accident involving a commercial truck in Virginia, call the truck accident lawyers at Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers in Richmond, or fill out our contact form. We want to help.