Three rollover myths and ways to avoid crashes

 

Rollovers happen every day in the trucking industry, but they don’t have to. Read on to learn about three major rollover myths, the three main causes of rollovers and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you.

Myth #1: Poor driving conditions lead to most rollovers.

 

Facts:

  • Less than 4 percent of single vehicle rollovers are actually caused by roadway and environmental factors.
  • Approximately two-thirds of rollovers occur in daylight rather than in the dark.
  • Ninety-three percent of rollovers occur on dry roads.

 

Myth #2: The vast majority of rollovers are caused by reckless maneuvers and excessive speeding.

 

Facts:

  • Avoiding excessive speeds is an important first step in rollover prevention, but there are a host of other factors, including driver fatigue and inattention, that can also cause accidents.
  • Evasive maneuvers are a factor in only a small percentage of rollovers.

 

Myth #3: Rollovers only happen to inexperienced drivers.

 

Facts:

  • Most rollovers involve drivers with over 10 years of driving experience.
  • Most rollovers occur among drivers between the ages of 25 and 55.Since a large majority of rollovers are caused by driver error, most crashes are preventable. Here are several ways you can prevent a rollover and get to your destination safely:

 

How You Can Help Prevent Rollovers

  • Obey the speed limits and take it slow around corners.
  • Stay alert. Turning up the radio or rolling down your windows are not effective ways to keep you alert. There are regulations are in place to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
  • Put down your cellphone. It’s both illegal and extremely dangerous to text while driving.
  • Ensure your truck is mechanically sound before your trip.
  • Understand the design and performance of the type of truck you will be driving. For example, tankers handle differently than reefers or flatbeds.
  • Always make sure loads are tied down properly. Shifting loads can easily lead to a rollover.
  • Ultimately, many of the factors that can cause a rollover crash are entirely under your control. Always remember—deadlines are important, but safety is the number one priority.