How to Report Unsafe Truck Drivers on Texas Highways

Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded, and when they speed or drive recklessly, that weight is liable to cause serious destruction. Thousands of people die every year in truck accidents across the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 4,119 people lost their lives in large truck crashes in 2019 alone.

If you witness a truck driver behaving dangerously on the road, it is imperative that they are reported to the proper authorities before they cause an accident or take someone’s life. Here’s a guide on exactly what you need to do to report a reckless truck driver in Texas.

How Do You Know If a Truck Driver Is Being Unsafe?

There are many driver safety violations that should be reported if they are performed by a truck driver because they endanger the lives of everyone on the road. These violations include, but are not limited to:

• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Aggressive driving
• Illegal passing
• Unsecured load
• Camping in the left lane
• Swerving
• Reckless driving
• Following too closely
• Illegal turns
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield

Drivers of large trucks are required to operate the truck under a safe manner by not just state and local authorities, but under federal law as well. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits the number of service hours truck drivers can work at a time. The hourly driving limit is to ensure drivers remain alert and prevent them from driving drowsy. The driving limit they are allotted is dependent on what they are carrying and how long they have been off duty.

Where Do You Report a Truck Driver That Is Driving Dangerously in Texas?

Now that we know what kind of violations should be reported for the unsafe operation of a truck, we need to know how to report it. You can contact several outlets to report reckless truck driving, like:

• 911: If there is an immediate emergency, call 911 right away.
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): File a complaint about a truck, bus, or moving company by clicking this link.
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): File a written or oral complaint with the state by clicking the link here.

Prior to filing a complaint about an unsafe truck driver, make sure you have as much information with you as possible. Interstate trucks are legally required to display a Department of Transportation number on the side of their truck. If you are able to jot down this number, their license plate, or a physical description, it will make finding the driver much easier for highway patrol.