Are Highways Safer Than Regular Roads?

Believe it or not, highways are generally safer than regular roads. While traffic accidents can happen anywhere, statistics show that highways have a lower rate of fatal accidents and injury crashes compared to local and arterial roads. In this article, we’ll go over the factors that contribute to highway safety, including the limited access points, speed limits, and physical barriers on highways.

If you have any more questions regarding highway safety, or if you have been involved in a highway accident, call the Munley Law personal injury lawyers. Our accident lawyers offer a free consultation where we will answer your questions and discuss your legal options.

Crash Fatality Statistics: Highways vs. Local and Arterial Roads

According to a 2022 report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), crash deaths in rural areas were less likely to occur on rural highways, […]

How Long Can Truck Drivers Drive Without Resting?

Studies suggest that 30 to 40 percent of all truck accidents result from driver fatigue. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving contributes to more than 50,000 accidents per year, resulting in serious injury and death.

Knowing how unsafe drowsy driving can be, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created regulations commercial truck drivers must follow for how many consecutive hours they can be behind the wheel before needing a break.

Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created hours of service regulations (HOS) for both property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers. These rules are meant to protect truck drivers from overwork while also limiting adverse driving conditions for other motor vehicles.

It’s important to understand that drivers do not have set hours like we may have in a 9-to-5 job setting. […]

Why Do Semi-Trucks Have Spikes on Their Wheels?

While driving down the highway, you may notice the semi-trucks beside you have what looks like spikes coming off their tire rims. But what purpose do those spike studs hold, and what happens if you get into an accident with a truck driver and those spikes cause damage?

Munley Law explains the purpose of these lug nut covers and your rights in semi-truck accidents.

What Are Wheel Spikes on Semi Trucks?

Spikes on the wheels of semi-trucks are lug nut covers. They are meant to protect lug nuts from debris and corrosion over time but also have aesthetic appeal.

While wheel spikes look intimidating, they are often made of weaker metals like aluminum alloys and even sometimes plastic. So, if your vehicle came into contact with one, the worst that would happen is a few scratches on your car. […]

Do Truck Drivers Really Watch TV While They Are Driving?

Understanding why truck drivers get distracted can help us tackle the issue and promote safer driving in the trucking industry. Distractions often come from long hours on the road, the repetitive nature of driving, and the ease of accessing technology. These factors put the driver and everyone else sharing the road in danger.

Reasons Behind Distracted Driving Among Truck Drivers

Truck drivers often spend long hours behind the steering wheel, covering hundreds of miles each day. This can lead to monotonous conditions, particularly at night or when driving through remote areas with little variation in scenery. The mental fatigue of a trucking job can be extreme, and from these extended hours, some truck drivers seek out distractions to break up the monotony.

Hours of service regulations are designed to limit the time a truck driver can spend on the road without rest, […]

How Many Truck Accidents Are There in a Year?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are approximately 500,000 truck accidents in the United States each year.  This substantial number of accidents underscores the critical importance of understanding the factors contributing to truck crashes and the measures needed to enhance road safety for all users.

Trucks are a common sight on US roadways. Commercial vehicles alone make up a significant portion. The trucking industry has a duty of care in transporting billions of tons of freight each year, a major part of the US economy. Over 3.5 million American truck driversare employed in the United States, and trucks make up 5% of all registered vehicles in the US. If that does not sound high to you, consider how heavy trucks are. A big rig with a tractor-trailer may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs less than 10,000. […]