Distracted and Impaired Driving by Semi-Truck Drivers. A Leading Cause of Catastrophic Crashes.
- Vrdolyak Law Group
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Distracted and impaired driving are among the most dangerous behaviors on U.S. roads, and when committed by a semi truck driver, the consequences are often catastrophic. Given the size and weight of large commercial trucks (up to 80,000 pounds), a moment of inattention or impairment can turn a minor mistake into a deadly accident.
Why Distraction or Impairment Is So Dangerous
Large trucks require significantly more time and distance to react and stop than passenger vehicles. When a driver is distracted by a phone, GPS, food, or in-cab systems or impaired by drugs or alcohol, reaction time and judgment are degraded. Rear-end collisions, jackknifes, rollovers, lane departures, and multi-vehicle crashes become far more likely.
Verified U.S. Government and National Data
- FMCSA data: ~6.7% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least one positive drug test (2018, 2020).
- FMCSA: 3% of large truck drivers in fatal crashes were impaired by drugs, alcohol, or medications.
- NHTSA (2023): 5,472 people died in large truck crashes.
- National Safety Council (2023): 153,452 people were injured in large truck crashes.
Common Forms of Distraction That Cause Semi-Truck Accidents
- Cell phone use
- GPS/dispatch systems
- Eating/drinking
- Adjusting controls
- Outside-the-cab distractions
Forms of Impairment
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs (amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine)
- Prescription or OTC medications that impair alertness
- Fatigue-related impairment
- Untreated sleep disorders
Crash Types Linked to Distraction/Impairment
- Rear-end collisions
- Jackknife crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Lane-departure crashes
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Intersection collisions
Chicago & Midwest Risks
Major freight corridors:
- I-80
- I-90/94
- I-55
- I-294
Congestion, tight merges, long-haul overnight travel, and winter weather increase crash severity.
Common Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe fractures
- Burns
- Wrongful death
1. Call 911
2. Photograph scene and conditions
3. Get medical evaluation
4. Avoid recorded statements to trucking insurers
5. Contact a truck accident attorney such as The Vrdolyak Law Group to preserve:
- Drug/alcohol test results
- ELD logs
- GPS data
- Dash-cam footage
- Dispatch records
- Driver safety/violation history
Prevention Measures (FMCSA & NHTSA)
- Enforced drug/alcohol testing
- Increased random testing
- Phone-use bans for commercial drivers
- Telematics monitoring
- Impairment screening programs
- Stronger company safety policies
Verified Sources
- FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Testing Data
- FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study
- FMCSA Distraction-Related Crash Data
- NHTSA Large Truck Traffic Safety Facts (2023)
- National Safety Council Injury Facts
