One Killed in Canton Truck Accident
A 22-year-old man was killed in a multi-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles in Canton last week.The accident occurred on Wednesday evening on the exit ramp from Interstate 575 to GA 140.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a tractor-trailer ran a stop light at an intersection, and struck a Chevrolet Tahoe.The impact caused both vehicles to hit a Honda Prelude.The driver of the Honda Prelude, a 22-year-old resident of Canton, sustained serious injuries, and was declared dead at the scene.The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe was also injured.
Investigations into the accident are looking specifically into why the tractor-trailer driver ran a red light.So far, no charges have been filed against him.There could have a number of reasons for the truck driver running a stop light.Distraction or inattentiveness is a common factor in red light violations.Commercial truck drivers are prevented from using cell phones and texting while driving under a new federal law.However, there are other distractions that could take a tractor-trailer driver’s attention away from the highway.
The increasing use of computers in tractor-trailers has also been a source of concern to Atlanta truck accident attorneys.The trucking industry has adopted IT technology in a big way, and many companies now equip their trucks with dashboard computers that allow the truck driver to browse the Internet, send and receive e-mails, and remain in constant touch with the dispatch office.
These computers have made a trucker’s job much easier, but they have also magnified the risks of an accident from distracted driving.Besides, there are always non-tech distractions, like snacking, or fiddling with radio stations, that can take a truck driver’s attention away from the highway.