Fatigue, Impairment & Dangerous Behavior

Driver-related factors are present in roughly one-third of all fatal large truck crashes. These factors fall into three categories: fatigue caused by hours-of-service pressure and undiagnosed conditions, impairment from drugs or alcohol, and dangerous behaviors like distraction and speeding.

Key Findings

1 in 3

fatal large truck crashes involve a driver-related factor.

FMCSA LTBCF 2022
13%

of fatal truck crashes involve a fatigued driver.

FMCSA LTCCS
23×

higher crash or near-crash risk for texting truck drivers.

FMCSA / VTTI RESEARCH
190K+

CDL drivers are currently barred for drug or alcohol violations.

FMCSA CLEARINGHOUSE 2025

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Reference

Driver Behaviors That Predict Future Crashes

Behavior	Effect on Crash Risk	Source
Texting while driving	23× higher crash or near-crash risk	FMCSA / VTTI
Reckless driving violation	+114% future crash likelihood	ATRI Crash Predictor 2022
Prior crash involvement	+113% future crash likelihood	ATRI Crash Predictor 2022
Failure to yield right of way	+101% future crash likelihood	ATRI Crash Predictor 2022
Improper or erratic lane changes	Top-five predictor across three or more ATRI reports	ATRI Crash Predictor series
Failure to use turn signals	Top-five predictor across three or more ATRI reports	ATRI Crash Predictor series

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Distracted driving, particularly cell phone use, carries significant liability weight because it is a deliberate act. FMCSA prohibits commercial drivers from using handheld phones while operating. CDRs (call detail records) are routinely subpoenaed in truck crash litigation to establish phone use at the time of impact.
The Clearinghouse is a federal database that tracks CDL holders who have tested positive or refused drug and alcohol testing. Carriers are required to query the database before hiring a driver and annually thereafter. Failure to check the Clearinghouse before hiring a driver with a prohibited status is a regulatory violation and strong evidence of negligence.
Yes. Carriers can be held liable when they pressure drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, create dispatch schedules that make compliance impossible, or fail to monitor ELD data for violations. Courts have awarded punitive damages in cases where carriers systematically encouraged fatigue-related fraud.
Fatigue is established through ELD records showing hours-of-service violations, driver logs, GPS telematics, cell phone records showing the driver was active during supposed rest periods, and witness accounts. Expert witnesses in human factors and sleep science are commonly used to explain the effects of fatigue on reaction time.

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