The area has seen a rise in semi related crashes. Here's how drivers can be more aware.
About a third of this year's deadly crashes in the Amarillo area so far this year have involved semis. These crashes have led to 13 deaths. The Globe-News is taking a deeper look into why these crashes, many of them fatal, have been happening, and what drivers can do to increase their safety while on the road.
With the city of Amarillo being located between two major interstate highways, an influx of traffic is inevitable. Now, as the summer months involve more vehicles on the roadways, drivers are urged more than ever to buckle up, slow down, and be aware of these vehicles, especially larger ones such as semis, which have larger blind spots and slower reaction times.
Factors in recent truck-tractor / semi trailer, or TTST, involved crashes
With the Amarillo area and Texas Panhandle seeing a rise in truck-tractor/ semi trailer (TTST) related traffic accidents and fatalities, road officials are sharing some ways for drivers to safely interact with TTST vehicles, and are reminding them of what these large vehicles' drivers can and cannot see when on the road.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), since January, the organization has responded to a total of 31 fatal crashes in the the Amarillo District, including the top 26 counties, as of late June. So far for the year, 10 of those fatal crashes involved TTSTs and resulted in a total of 13 deaths.
"Of the 10 fatal crashes involving TTST, five were due to the drivers failing to control their speed, resulting in rear-end collisions. Three of the crashes were due to drivers driving on the wrong side of the roadway, resulting in head-on collisions; one crash involved the driver of a TTST that disregarded a stop sign and T-boned another TTST. The other fatal crash was due to a pickup truck being disabled on a dark roadway, from a crash that occurred moments before, and was struck by a TTST who did not see it in the road until it was too late," Sgt. Cindy Barkley with DPS said.
Other Commercial Motor Vehicles in consideration
For the year of 2022, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported 26,164 crashes across the state involving a TTST in 2022. Of those crashes, 487 were fatal, with 346 occurring in rural areas and 141 occurring in urban areas.
In addition to TTST crashes, TxDOT broadens their definitions of large vehicles to include Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) including pickup trucks, box trucks, semi-trucks, vans, coaches, buses, taxicabs, trailers and travel trailers.
According to TxDOT, their 2022 CMV-involved crashes and injuries for Potter County include one fatal crash, one death, six suspected serious crashes, nine suspected serious injuries, 22 suspected minor crashes, 25 suspected minor injuries, 20 possible injury crashes, 30 possible injuries, 205 non-injury crashes, 531 non-injuries, four unknown severity crashes, 31 unknown injuries and a total of 258 crashes.
2022 CMV-involved crashes and injuries for Randall County include one fatal crash, one death, three suspected serious crashes, three suspected serious injuries, 14 suspected minor crashes, 16 suspected minor injuries, 12 possible injury crashes, 18 possible injuries, 77 non-injury crashes, 242 non-injuries, one unknown severity crashes, four unknown injuries and a total of 108 crashes.
Some traffic safety tips and facts to keep mind around larger vehicles
With the broadened definitions of vehicles, the total number of deaths including TTST far exceeds the 2022 numbers this year. As a result of this spike in TTST related crashes, DPS officials are sharing some safety tips drivers can use to remain aware and vigilant on the roadways, especially around these larger vehicles.
On a two-lane highway, it's safe to pass a TTST in a "passing zone" after verifying a clear view of sufficient distance for safe passing. If possible, try not to pass a truck when going down a hill, as TTST vehicles will typically pick up speed traveling downhill due to their heavy weight load. After passing, make sure you have a clear view of the TTST vehicle in the rearview mirror before merging back into the lane in front of the truck.
According to DPS, TTST vehicles weigh approximately 80,000 lbs. and require more space and time to stop safely. Due to this, it is recommended for drivers to be at least 4,000 ft. in front of the vehicle when merging into the lane. On average, it would take a TTST vehicle four seconds to stop in the case of an emergency, which is an approximate equivalent for 4,000 ft.
The truck driver's blind spot, side mirror and three-second rule
When traveling on a multiple-lane highway and approaching a TTST vehicle to pass, be aware of the truck driver's blind spot and avoid remaining there for an extended period.
One way to ensure a driver isn't in a TTST vehicle's blind spot is to look to see the vehicle's driver in the side mirror. This applies for passing a vehicle as well as if a driver is following too close. If a driver is following a TTST vehicle close enough that they cannot see the side mirror, this shows that the TTST driver also cannot see your vehicle behind their load.
"In good weather and at a minimum, it's a good idea to utilize the three-second rule, which will give you more time to react in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, such as a utility pole, sign, or landmark, start counting to three in the following manner: 'one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three.' If you reach the same point before you get to one thousand and three, you are most likely following the vehicle in front of you too close," Barkley said.
"In bad weather conditions such as rain, fog, blowing dirt, snow, wind, etc., give yourself even more distance, so you have plenty of time to react to anything that might occur in front of you," Barkley added.
DPS: Be patient, be alert and avoid distractions
DPS asks that drivers be patient when traveling behind a TTST going slower than other traffic, stating: "They are traveling at a safe speed for the size of their load, especially around curves. When people get impatient, they put themselves and everyone else driving around them in danger."
When following a slower TTST vehicle, it is advised to wait until is is safe to pass and to do so at a safe distance. If a TTST vehicle is involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle, this can result in more significant damage to vehicles and increase the risk of serious injuries and deaths.
"Both TTST and passenger vehicle drivers need to focus on their number one task, which is driving. They can do this by obeying all traffic laws, paying attention, and driving defensively. Avoid being tempted by distractions inside or outside of the vehicle. If you need to do anything else in your car other than driving, you need to find a safe spot to pull completely off the roadway and take care of your business there," Barkley said.
"Also, do not drive drowsy. If you get sleepy, find a safe place to pull completely off the road, take a quick nap, or get out and walk around (a safe distance off the roadway). A rest stop would be preferable," Barkley added.
In addition to the rise in TTST related crashes, the state has, in general, seen an upward trend in total number of crashes since 2019, with 3,623 fatalities reported that year and and .93% decrease in fatalities in crashes from 2018.
However, beginning in 2020, there was 7.54% increase in total number of crashes across the state, totaling to 3,893 fatalities. In 2021, there was a 15.43% increase from the following year, with a total of 4,497 fatalities. In 2022, Texas saw a slight decrease in traffic related deaths by .36% with a total of 4,481 fatalities.
But, the state has begin to see an upturn in this total since the year 2023 began.
For more information about driving safety tips, visit TDPS online at https://www.dps.texas.gov/ or TxDOT at https://www.txdot.gov/ .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo region sees rise in semi related crashes and deaths in 2023
