New Mexico motorists know about the dangers that they may cause when they engage in distracted driving. People texting or surfing the internet while operating a vehicle can easily crash into other cars and pedestrians, causing serious and even fatal accidents. This is especially true for truck drivers, who are operating much larger and heavier vehicles. Distracted truck drivers can cause catastrophic injuries, especially because the occupants of other vehicles are much more likely to be seriously hurt in case of a truck accident.
When people think of distracted driving, they may think of someone using their smartphone behind the wheel. Indeed, many public awareness campaigns focus on telling people to put their phones away while driving. However, the danger of distracted driving is not limited to phone usage, and this may be particularly important for commercial truck drivers. Distractions can include small things like adjusting the radio, changing the heating and cooling settings or even being drawn to an incident on the road ahead. Built-in navigation and entertainment systems can pose a distraction. All of these can decrease a driver’s concentration and lead them to be more likely to have a truck crash.
These small distractions may seem innocuous, but their effect is magnified by the speeds used on American highways. When drivers travel at just over 65 mph, they can go the length of a football field in only three seconds. This means that even a momentary distraction could easily cause a serious problem if a truck driver is unable to respond in an emergency.
Distracted driving poses a serious threat on the roads, especially when large trucks are involved. People who have been injured in a truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer about the potential to seek compensation for their losses.
