What to Do When You See an Unsafe Truck Driver in Georgia
Commercial truck drivers in the state of Georgia are required to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations which dictate safe driving speeds, etc., as well as the conditions during which a trucker must stop and rest for the night or take a break from driving. Trucking agencies must also follow FMCSA safety standards when manufacturing or equipping new rigs. Both measures help ensure that truckers drive as safe as they possibly can.
Despite these regulations being in place, however, truck accidents happen on an all-too frequent level in our state. We’ve all driven next to a driver of an 18-wheeler who’s swerved slightly without warning and almost frightened us. What you may not know is that all drivers have a legal right to report commercial truck drivers who are driving unsafely or carrying cargo in an unsafe manner.
To keep our roads and highways as safe as possible, we can take the following actions when we see an unsafe truck driver in Georgia:
Call 911
If you witness a truck crash about to happen or in the process of happening, your first step should always be to call 911 immediately. You’ll also want to call 911 right away if you see a truck driver or any driver who is driving recklessly to the point of endangering others. Contacting emergency services is the best way to make sure everyone around you gets the required help quickly should an accident occur.
File a Federal Report with the FMCSA
If you notice a trucker driving unsafely but feel that lives are not necessarily in danger or that the truck itself may have not been packed or equipped within regulations, this is when you’ll want to contact the FMCSA directly when it’s safe to do so and file a safety violation.
You can file a report either directly on their website or by calling the following number: 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) from 8am‒8pm, Mon‒Fri EST.
Please note: Since the FMCSA deals with federal regulations, this means that the truck or trucker you’re reporting must be operating between multiple state borders/traveling across multiple states. This includes cargo carriers, moving trucks, and buses.
File a State Report
As noted above, if the truck or trucker you’re reporting is only traveling within Georgia, you cannot file a violation report with the FMCSA. For cargo trucks, moving trucks, and buses traveling inside Georgia that do not cross state borders, you’ll need to contact the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division (MCCD) Regulatory Compliance Section.
If you’re located in a different state, you can find out where to call here.
When you contact either agency, make sure to have the truck’s identification number handy. This is a number found on the back of most commercial trucks and buses. The agency will be able to use the number to identify who is driving the truck and what route it’s on. After this, they can take the correct measures to ensure our roads remain safe.
If you’ve been injured in a truck crash with a commercial big rig, the driver and trucking company will automatically be placed under investigation. This is when you’ll want to consider getting in touch with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer at Bey & Associates. If you feel that the trucker was driving recklessly or negligently, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the guilty party that caused the accident.
With our help, you can get the compensation you need to move forward as well as ensure unsafe truckers stay off Georgia highways. Contact our office to learn more.