Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs spend endless hours on the road delivering products and goods throughout the country. While they undergo extensive training to prepare them for the rigors of the job, the demands these drivers face still take a heavy toll on them and their vehicles. Taking breaks for meals, having adequate rest periods, and being able to oversee routine truck maintenance can all help to reduce the likelihood of truck accidents and injuries, but finding a convenient place to perform these tasks can prove challenging. A new truck stop recently opened in Portland, which should provide some much needed relief.
Stop Outside Portland Caters to Needs of Truckers on the Road
Trucking Info recently issued a news release for truck drivers and the companies they work for regarding a new Love’s Travel Stop which opened along the Interstate 5 corridor in Millersburg, Oregon. Love’s will open their doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 28, 2018, revealing an 8,000-square-foot facility that features 70 truck parking spaces, food, showers, and laundry facilities, along with a truck tire maintenance center.
Millersburg is along the path of drivers routinely traveling in and through the Portland area, and the location of the truck stop can allow drivers to take rest stops before heading into the city. While truckers and trucking companies make money operating tight schedules, the fact is that not providing breaks or time for routine maintenance increases truck accident risks, along with their own liability.
How Lack of Breaks Contributes to Truck Accidents
Trucking companies place heavy demands on the workers they employ. Truck drivers are often required to work long shifts, with multiple days on the road away from their families. To meet their schedules, they may be tempted to skip breaks, taking their meals on the road with them and foregoing sleep.
According to studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), this type of behavior increases truck accident risks. Among the most common factors in trucks accidents include:
- Lack of sleep: Being excessively tired impacts concentration and slows reaction times, along with increasing the likelihood that a truck driver will fall asleep between the wheel.
- Driver distractions: Trying to juggle soft drinks, coffee, and food distracts truck drivers and causes them to take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel. When operating massive vehicles that often weigh up to 80,000 pounds, this can have dangerous consequences for everyone on the road.
- Poor tuck maintenance: Improperly inflated tires can cause blowouts, increasing the likelihood that a truck driver will lose control of their rig. Allowing time and the opportunity to address simple maintenance issues can help to prevent these types of car accidents from occurring.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident? The Johnston Law Firm Is Here to Help
When truck accidents leave you suffering serious injuries, the Johnston Law Firm provides the aggressive legal representation you need to get compensation for the damages you suffer. Reach out and contact our Portland truck accident attorneys to request a consultation today by calling (503) 546-3167.