Living in Oregon, you know that it’s common to see large trucks on the roads. However, the interesting thing is that the number of large truck crashes has actually reached the highest point in over 10 years in Oregon, showing that these drivers truly are not getting safer.
When the economy is good, truck drivers are seen more frequently on the roads. Of course, that’s not surprising: If business is good, more goods need to be transported. The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Oregon Trucking Association stated that 2018 was a record-breaking year for the trucking industry, seeing more trucking than ever before.
Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), agreed that it also saw an increase in trucks on the roads. However, there was a spike in the number of crashes, and that’s not a great sign. While that isn’t necessarily a result of having more trucks on the roads, but 2017 did see growth in the number of at-fault truck crashes in the state. There has been a 1.8% increase in the total number of trucks on the road between 2007 and 2017, so seeing an increase in crashes is somewhat expected. Seeing an increase in drivers being at-fault for crashes is not.
What’s to blame for more truck crashes in Oregon?
The 2017 spike in at-fault collisions is somewhat to do with a year of severe weather. There were a few severe storms early that year that played a role. There are also dangerous trends, like speeding and making lane changes that have put other drivers at risk.
If you are hit by a truck, know that you’re not alone. Many people are impacted by truck collisions, and you deserve to be heard.