Common truck tire issues that lead to accidents

When it comes to truck accidents, many people in the Knoxville area believe that they are caused by distracted, fatigued and speeding truckers. Many of them do not realize that distractions and fatigue are not the only reasons commercial vehicle operators crash. Some accidents are the result of maintenance issues. In 2015, there were 3,852 truck accident fatalities, states the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Truckers are required to inspect their vehicles before and after each delivery. Their management companies must service their vehicles regularly to ensure they comply with the standards and regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration When they overlook or ignore faulty equipment and issues that can affect their vehicles’ normal operations, they make the roads more dangerous. Here are two common truck maintenance problems that motorists should learn about. 

Excessive speeds

It is not uncommon for drivers to see pieces of blown out truck tires on the roads. Commercial vehicles are much heavier and larger than other vehicles. They use different tires which are larger and designed to provide sufficient support and traction when operators travel at certain speeds. When truckers exceed those speeds, their tires have less contact with the roads and may not stay intact. According to CBSNews.com, the maximum safe speed for commercial vehicle wheels is under 75 miles per hour.

Underinflated tires

When truck tires are underinflated, they cannot keep vehicle weight evenly distributed to proper support. Instead, they give way and explode, compromising the safety of the truck, trucker and every motorist in the vicinity. Truckers should inspect their tires before each trip to ensure they have sufficient tread, proper air pressure and are on the correct axles. 

Motorists may not be able to tell when they are driving near commercial vehicles with tire and wheel issues. They can avoid accidents with trucks by staying clear of them. They should follow all traffic rules, courtesies and avoid driving in their blind spots.