Any truck driver traveling too fast on Virginia’s roads is a potential hazard to other motorists with whom the trucker is sharing the road.
Even in the best weather conditions, the faster a truck goes, the longer it will take for the vehicle to come to a stop in the event of an emergency. At a highway speed of 65 miles per hour, for instance, it can take a fully loaded truck 525 feet to come to a complete stop, whereas it would take a sedan going the same speed 316 feet.
Of course, anyone who visits Virginia with any frequency knows that the weather in this state is not always bright and sunny. Blacksburg and the surrounding areas frequently experience rain and thunderstorms, and snow or other icy precipitation may fall during the winter months.
Bad weather only increases the chances of a speeding truck driver causing a fatal accident. According to one recent report, even a light drizzle increases the likelihood of a fatal accident by 27%. This risk only increases when wintry precipitation falls.
The risk also increases when precipitation is heavier in volume. For instance, in heavy rains, the risk of a fatal accident doubles. This is particularly so during the morning commute and in locales where motorists feel more at liberty to drive at high speeds.
The bottom line is that truck drivers must watch their speed carefully. They may well have technology that keeps them within the posted speed limits, but these drivers must also be prepared to slow down for any kind of adverse weather condition, even just a light rain. If they fail to do so and cause a truck accident, they may be legally accountable to pay for any injuries and damage they cause.
