Truck drivers have a lot to juggle when it comes to roadway safety. With numerous regulations, changing laws, fatigue, and more, it’s easy to overlook external threats. People outside of the truck cab can incapacitate the vehicle with disturbing ease—intentional or not. The following are three of the biggest external threats that can compromise truck drivers or their vehicles.

  1. Sabotage. Everyone’s heard of the sugar in the gas tank trick as a method of ruining a vehicle. However, this form of vandalism is more myth than fact. The idea is that the sugar will caramelize and gum up the engine. In reality, sugar can’t dissolve in gasoline. It can still cause damage, but it’s not immediate or devastating. However, vandals have found new and effective methods of destroying entire fleets. The trick is as simple as dropping two latex gloves into a fuel tank. When the driver starts the truck, the fuel intake hose sucks up the gloves causing a blockage. Without fuel, the trucks grind to a halt. Trucking companies in Mount Vernon, NY learned this the hard way when vandals put an entire fleet of snowplows out of commission right before a major snowstorm.
  2. Distracted motorists. Distracted driving is an issue for commercial and passenger vehicles. However, despite numerous laws attempting to curtail texting or talking while driving, people continue to do so. Even the most vigilant driver that adheres to all safety regulations will encounter a passenger vehicle that isn’t paying attention. Drivers using handheld phones are 50% more likely to experience an accident in the coming 90 days than those that don’t. California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois all experience significant handheld cellphone use so truck drivers should take extra precautions when traveling through these states.
  3. Cargo theft. Another safety hazard outside of a truck driver’s control is would-be cargo thieves. While theft at warehouses is the most common, truck stops and parking lots can be thief hot spots as well. States with the highest incidents of cargo theft include California, Texas, Illinois, and Georgia. While Florida and New Jersey saw a recent dramatic drop in cargo theft, they are still at risk. Drivers should exercise greater caution when traveling through known high-theft areas to avoid cargo loss.

Even the most cautious drivers can fall victim to determined criminals. Investing in trailer tracking solutions can help fleets keep track of cargo as well as locate it in the event of a successful theft. Contact the experts at DriverCheck to learn more about our trailer tracking technology.