An alarming trend has been taking place in Minnesota recently. For the third time in one week, a semi truck has crashed into icy waters after the driver lost control of the vehicle. While only minor injuries have been reported, the increase of truck accidents in the state is worrying a number of residents.

All three of the truck accidents in the past week have occurred during the day. The first accident involving a Target commercial truck crashed into an icy pond near Monticello. The second accident occurred in Waseca when the truck slid onto Clear Lake. The most recent accident occurred just off Interstate 494 in Plymouth.

The troubling fact about these truck accidents is that for some unknown reason, the drivers are unable to control the huge truck and they end up crashing through fences and medians. While no information has been formally released regarding the precise cause of these accidents, there have been a number of issues concerning truck drivers lately that may have been a factor.

We have discussed here that the federal government has recently revised Hours of Service regulations that allow drivers to continue driving 11 hours per day, which many safety groups say is too long to be on the road and still drive safely.

There have also been laws passed that address distracted truck drivers. New laws impose harsher penalties on any truck driver that uses a hand-held phone while driving.

Drowsy or distracted truck drivers are very dangerous on the roads. Luckily, no one was seriously injured as a result of the three accidents last week, but the fact that more trucks are sliding off the roads is quite worrisome. If there is habitual and dangerous driving behavior on the part of Minnesota truck drivers, it should be addressed immediately before an innocent victim is hurt or killed.

Source: Star Tribune, "Third semi in a week ends up going into a pond," Jan. 13, 2012