How to Report an Erratic Truck Driver

Encounters with commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are often unavoidable. The average commuter will likely pass a truck on the freeway at any given time. Because of their size and weight, reckless drivers are a great danger to passenger vehicles.

The personal injury lawyers at Munley Law recognize this danger. For more than 60 years, Munley has provided legal services for victims of truck accidents and recovered millions in losses. Suppose you or a family member have already been injured due to the actions of an erratic truck driver. In that case, our experienced truck accident lawyers may be able to earn you compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more

Why You Should Report Unsafe Driving

Unsafe driving in the trucking industry is a major safety issue. Research by the Department of Transportation‘s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that large truck crashes have been on the rise from year to year. In 2022, the number of large trucks involved in crashes with injuries or deaths was larger than in previous years. Severe injuries and deaths were up as a result, with 5,936 people being killed in accidents involving large trucks. This is even though intoxicated truck drivers were involved in these accidents at far lower rates than drunk drivers of other vehicles, suggesting that many cases were simply the result of poor driving practices.

Knowing how and where to report dangerous behaviors before seeking legal representation is critical in preventing future behavior. Reporting unsafe drivers increases road safety and assists in saving lives.

In an Emergency, Call 911

Any potentially life-threatening driving behavior by a truck driver, such as swerving, is considered an emergency. In these cases, it is appropriate to call 911 immediately and provide the location, vehicle description, such as appearance and license plate number, and the specific erratic behaviors you observed. This can ensure prompt and appropriate intervention by law enforcement, who can potentially intercept the truck before an accident occurs.

Non-emergency situations may also be worth reporting, but the process may vary depending on location. Specific state agencies and police departments may have their non-emergency numbers.

File a Complaint With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Trucking companies and their drivers must follow the rules and regulations of the Federal Department of Transportation. If you observe what you believe to be dangerous driving, you can file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When the FMCSA investigates a complaint, it can be entered into its database and become part of a trucking company’s permanent record. This incentivizes companies to encourage their employees to drive safely.

Complaints can be filed by calling the FMCSA at 1-888-DOT-SAFT

Complaints can also be filed through the FMCSA’s online form

Report Safety Violations to Your State Department of Transportation

Drivers need to be aware of individual states and federal government regulations. The state’s regulatory agencies determine these regulations, typically their state Department of Transportation.

Almost all truck accidents that occur in Pennsylvania fall under Pennsylvania jurisdiction, regardless of whether an in-state or out-of-state truck was involved.

The phone number for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is 717-412-5300

What Is Considered Erratic Driving?

Before you consider taking action, it is important to understand what unsafe driving looks like and what to do when you see it. This can help make roads safer for motorists before, during, and after encounters with unsafe or overly aggressive drivers.

Signs of Unsafe Driving

The following are common signs of reckless driving behavior and unsafe driving practices:

Illegal Passing

Visibility issues are one of the significant problems caused by the sheer size of many trucks. They often limit on-road visibility for other nearby drivers, increasing the risk of an accident. One major cause of these visibility issues is illegal passing.

Traffic laws in most states forbid illegal passing. For instance, semi-truck drivers may not pass other vehicles on hills or curves, and passing is typically limited to the left lane.

Violations of illegal passing laws decrease general visibility and sight line visibility, leading to potential accidents. When a reckless truck driver attempts to pass illegally, other vehicles often crash or run off the road.

Speeding

Driving far beyond the speed limit or traffic flow is always unsafe behavior and a sign of aggressive driving. Many professional drivers are as prone to driving too fast as the average commuter, as most trucks do not have a built-in speed limit. In particular, bad truck drivers may not be able to control their speed in poor conditions or may rush to their destinations.

Speeding not only leads to potential accidents but also increases their severity. Crashes at higher speeds have far greater impact and potential for catastrophic injuries than collisions between slower motor vehicles.

Swerving

A truck swerving is a clear, visible sign of dangerous driving. Reckless truck drivers may swerve because they are on their cell phones or distracted in some other way. Intoxicated and drugged drivers are far more likely to swerve than unimpaired drivers. Instances of road rage may also result in swerving.

Swerving is not always the direct fault of the individual truck driver. A driver may swerve due to an unexpected medical condition, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Regardless, it is important to look out for swerving trucks. Any swerving driver is likely impaired in some way, and an impaired driver is dangerous.

Following Too Closely

Following too closely is also unsafe driving behavior regardless of vehicle. But, like speeding, it is also more dangerous when done by large commercial vehicles. What is considered tailgating is not the same for trucks and cars.

Because of their size, trucks take considerably longer to slow down and stop than cars. This gives truck drivers less time to react if they need to. If they follow a vehicle too closely and that vehicle makes any unexpected movement, like an immediate stop or a swerve, it is nearly impossible to avoid rear-end collisions. This is especially dangerous behavior when driving conditions are imperfect, like inclement weather or heavy traffic.

Reckless Driving

The above scenarios are just a few examples of what may be considered reckless driving. Reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor in most states, and individual reckless drivers are often subject to fines or brief jail time. In Pennsylvania, reckless driving is typically ruled as a summary offense. This places less severe penalties on unsafe drivers than when considered a misdemeanor.

There are far more examples of reckless driving than those listed above, such as reckless lane changes or ignoring traffic signals. In addition to what is listed, any instance of reckless or unsafe driving should be promptly reported.