There is no disputing that every motorist making their way down the highways here in Tennessee and across the U.S. has a responsibility to abide by the rules of the road and operate their vehicle in the safest manner possible.
In fact, it could reasonably be argued that this responsibility is perhaps even greater for those men and women driving semi trucks, as the sheer size, weight and speed at which their big rigs travel can mean dramatic consequences of the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles in the event of a truck accident.
The unfortunate fact remains that many truck drivers are simply unwilling to practice these safe driving habits and that, as long as this remains the case, lives will continue to be shattered in serious truck wrecks.
It should be noted, however, that there are some truck drivers who choose to run their routes in the safest manner possible, meaning they understand the importance of putting people ahead of delivery schedules.
Interestingly, the mega chain Wal-Mart recently honored just such a truck driver last week as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
The 59-year-old driver, who has been employed by the company for nearly 32 years, has driven an astounding 4 million miles on U.S. roads without a truck accident, the first company driver to ever complete such a feat.
To demonstrate just how remarkable this accomplishment is, consider that experts have determined that the average U.S. driver travels an average of only 12,000 miles a year and is involved in anywhere from three to four car accidents during this timeframe.
As a show of appreciation for his safe driving habits, Wal-Mart presented the driver with a brand new red truck that prominently displays both his name and his safety record on the side.
If you have suffered catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by truck driver fatigue, failure to perform the necessary maintenance, speeding or any other type of negligence, consider speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Source: The Las Vegas Guardian Express, “Wal-Mart trucker honored for 4 million miles accident-free,” Lisa Nance, September 23, 2013
