Fatigue and speeding key to major truck accidents
Driver fatigue and speeding are the major causes of truck accidents in Australia, an investigation by National Transport Insurance (NTI) has revealed.
The Brisbane-based truck insurer has evaluated all accidents incurring more than $50,000 in damage during 2007. There were 325 incidents at a total cost of $41.6 million, or an average of $128,485 per crash.
Costs do not include freight cargo losses, personal injury or workers’ compensation claims.
The study found driver fatigue or speeding were responsible for 48% of major truck accidents. In 75% of cases, no other vehicle was involved in the crash, while drivers were most likely to crash between 11am and 2pm.
The report’s author, NTI Industry Affairs and Customer Relations Manager Owen Driscoll, identified a need for more rest areas capable of housing truck and trailer units.
“The shortage and inaccessibility of truck rest areas remains an opportunity for governments to assist the trucking industry in managing fatigue,” he said.
Though reported incidents have declined almost 20% compared to 2005 statistics, the average cost of each incident has increased more than 9%.
Mr Driscoll told insuranceNEWS.com.au repair costs such as high-tech components and labour can be significant.
“Labour accounts for 55% of repair costs, and given market conditions and the availability of skilled tradesmen, increases in labour rates for quality workmanship are unavoidable,” he said.
The Brisbane-based truck insurer has evaluated all accidents incurring more than $50,000 in damage during 2007. There were 325 incidents at a total cost of $41.6 million, or an average of $128,485 per crash.
Costs do not include freight cargo losses, personal injury or workers’ compensation claims.
The study found driver fatigue or speeding were responsible for 48% of major truck accidents. In 75% of cases, no other vehicle was involved in the crash, while drivers were most likely to crash between 11am and 2pm.
The report’s author, NTI Industry Affairs and Customer Relations Manager Owen Driscoll, identified a need for more rest areas capable of housing truck and trailer units.
“The shortage and inaccessibility of truck rest areas remains an opportunity for governments to assist the trucking industry in managing fatigue,” he said.
Though reported incidents have declined almost 20% compared to 2005 statistics, the average cost of each incident has increased more than 9%.
Mr Driscoll told insuranceNEWS.com.au repair costs such as high-tech components and labour can be significant.
“Labour accounts for 55% of repair costs, and given market conditions and the availability of skilled tradesmen, increases in labour rates for quality workmanship are unavoidable,” he said.