Table 67. Drivers of Large Trucks in Fatal Crashes by Driver-Related Factors and Violations Recorded

Driver-Related Factors

Single-Vehicle
Crashes

Multiple-Vehicle
Crashes

Total

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

Failure to keep in proper lane

239

28.7%

331

8.6%

570

12.1%

Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit

144

17.3%

228

5.9%

372

7.9%

Inattentive (talking, eating, etc.)

98

11.8%

165

4.3%

263

5.6%

Failure to yield right-of-way

35

4.2%

158

4.1%

193

4.1%

Cellular phone in vehicle

22

2.6%

110

2.8%

132

2.8%

Failure to obey traffic signs

14

1.7%

101

2.6%

115

2.4%

Following improperly

3

0.4%

94

2.4%

97

2.1%

Overcorrecting

50

6.0%

21

0.5%

71

1.5%

Drowsy, asleep, fatigued

44

5.3%

26

0.7%

70

1.5%

Making improper turn

23

2.8%

36

0.9%

59

1.3%

Erratic or reckless driving

23

2.8%

35

0.9%

58

1.2%

Under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication

29

3.5%

24

0.6%

53

1.1%

Improper lane change

6

0.7%

39

1.0%

45

1.0%

Vision obscured by weather

9

1.1%

36

0.9%

45

1.0%

Swerving or sliding due to water, snow, slush, oil, wet leaves etc.

7

0.8%

32

0.8%

39

0.8%

Operating without required equipment

8

1.0%

24

0.6%

32

0.7%

Stopped in roadway

0

0.0%

29

0.8%

29

0.6%

Hit and run

13

1.6%

16

0.4%

29

0.6%

Non-traffic violation charged (manslaughter or other homicide offense)

4

0.5%

25

0.6%

29

0.6%

Swerving to avoid vehicle in road

3

0.4%

22

0.6%

25

0.5%

Improper loading

9

1.1%

11

0.3%

20

0.4%

Pedestrian

17

2.0%

3

0.1%

20

0.4%

Starting or backing improperly

7

0.8%

12

0.3%

19

0.4%

Ill, passed out, blackout

14

1.7%

3

0.1%

17

0.4%

Flat tire

8

1.0%

7

0.2%

15

0.3%

Unfamiliar with roadway

1

0.1%

11

0.3%

12

0.3%

             

Driver-Related Factor(s) Recorded

600

72.0%

1,213

31.4%

1,813

38.6%

No Driver-Related Factors Recorded

233

28.0%

2,649

68.6%

2,882

61.4%

Total

833

100.0%

3,862

100.0%

4,695

100.0%

             

Violation(s) Recorded

73

8.8%

397

10.3%

470

10.0%

No Violations Recorded

760

91.2%

3,465

89.7%

4,225

90.0%

Total

833

100.0%

3,862

100.0%

4,695

100.0%

Note: A large truck is defined as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).