How to Report Unsafe Truck Drivers on Texas Highways

Many truckers are experienced professionals who take driving and roadway safety seriously. Not all are, however, and that can create some very real and all-too-serious dangers for the motoring public.

In fact, recent data shows well over 38,100 truck wrecks and commercial vehicle accidents happened in Texas in 2021, resulting in more than 700 deaths.

For many of these crashes and fatalities, the actions or inactions of truckers were to blame. That’s why it’s so important for all truck drivers to make safe choices on the roads — and if they don’t, it’s also why you should stay alert and keep your eyes on the big rigs and truck drivers around you.

If you ever see a trucker driving dangerously on the roads:

1. Keep a safe distance from that tractor trailer and the potentially reckless driver.
   
   
2. Report what you’ve seen to the proper authorities before the risky truck driver causes a crash.

Here’s how to spot risky truckers and how to report them whenever you see them. If you do, you can help make the roads in Texas safer, and you may even prevent wrecks and save lives.

Signs of Unsafe Truck Driving

Dangerous truck driving can be easy to spot on the roads in Texas if you know what to look for. Here are some common signs of unsafe truck driving that are important to report to authorities:

●      Speeding

●     Texting while driving

●     Ignoring traffic signals

●    Aggressive driving

●   Illegal passing

●    Unsecured or poorly secured trailers or loads

●   Camping in the left lane

●    Swerving

●     Reckless driving

●    Following too closely

●     Illegal turns

●      Failure to yield

●     Drifting out of one’s lane of traffic

Keep in mind that truckers are required to comply with more than just the standard rules of the road and basic traffic laws, like speed limits, stopping at red lights, and complying with general rights-of-way rules.

Beyond that, commercial truck drivers are also obligated to abide by state and federal trucking regulations, covering factors like (but limited to):

●       How trucks are operated

●       How long truckers are allowed to drive

●      Big rig safety inspections

●     Trucker drug testing

4 Ways to Report a Trucker’sDangerous Driving in Texas

If you spot dangerous truck driving anywhere in the Lone Star State, here are a few ways you can report it to authorities.

1. Call 911: If you see an accident about to happen, dial 911 ASAP. It’s also smart to call 911 if a trucker is operating recklessly in an area with lots of
   pedestrians, like  a school zone.
   
   
2. Call a non-emergency police number: If you see some risky maneuvers but nothing that seems like an emergency, report what you’ve witnessed to a non-emergency police or sheriff’s line.
   
   
3. File a complaint with federal authorities: You can file a complaint with authorities at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
   Administration (FMCSA) by
   clicking here. Please note that complaints can be filed for reckless truckers, bus drivers, tanker truck drivers, and other commercial motorists.
   
   
4. File a complaint with state authorities: You can also file a
   complaint with the authorities at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). More information about this option is here.

Remember, when it comes to reporting reckless truckers and risky driving on the roads:

●   The sooner you take action, the better.

●   You can report the incident in multiple ways, not just one, regardless of whether it involves a commercial truck driver, a motor carrier, and/or others.

●    To file a complaint with state and federal authorities, as well as police, it helps to have certain information on hand. That can include a physical description of the vehicle, the license plate number, and/or the DOT number printed on the vehicle.

●     Taking pictures of the vehicle can be helpful, especially if you can zoom in on certain key details, like texting while driving or license plate numbers. Don’t attempt this if you’re behind the wheel, however.

Sometimes, you may never even see reckless truck driving take place before it causes a crash and hurts you. If that happens, seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Then, consult an attorney to get answers about your rights, liability for the 18-wheeler accident, and your options for filing a claim and recovering compensation.