Trucking consistently tops the charts for one of the most dangerous jobs in America. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), police reported 475,000 accidents involving large trucks in 2016. Of those, 104,000 resulted in injuries and 3864 resulted in fatalities. However, while driving commercial vehicles comes with several risks, it’s also a vital job to maintaining a thriving economy. Truck drivers deliver goods to grocery stores, department stores, and direct to homes.

The following steps can help truck drivers stay safe on the roads:

  1. Perform proper maintenance. Truck drivers should inspect their vehicle before embarking on any trip. They should inspect their fluid levels, horn functionality, mirrors, brakes, tires, etc. and report any issues to dispatch before hitting the road. Drivers who take this step can identify problems before they cause an accident.
  2. Keep an eye on blind spots. There are several places a truck driver can’t see while operating their commercial motor vehicle (CMV); however, many motorists aren’t aware of this. To the side just in front of the cab, behind the side mirrors, and behind the truck are all problem areas for truck drivers. CMV operators need to remain aware of their blind spots and exercise extreme caution before making turns or changing lanes. Remaining aware of nearby motorists and maintaining a safe driving distance can help.
  3. Slow down in work zones. Construction work, much like trucking, is a dangerous job. Unfortunately, almost 1/3 of work-zone fatalities involve large trucks. To help prevent this, truck drivers need to slow down when traveling through road construction.
  4. Reduce speed on curves. The posted speed limit most often applies to passenger vehicles. For example, a four-door sedan can likely make an upcoming turn at the posted 55 mph. CMVs making the same turn need to slow down to stay safe. This is because CMVs have a tendency to roll when turning too fast.
  5. Modify driving in inclement weather. Rain, snow, and other weather issues cause around a quarter of trucking accidents related to excessive speed. Drivers should reduce their speed by a third on wet roads and by half on snowy or icy roads.

Improving driver safety is always a top priority for fleet managers. However, it’s not always easy to identify problem areas. DriverCheck’s How’s My Driving? Program can help fleets pinpoint risky driver behaviors as well as provide training to resolve them. Contact us to learn more about how we can help make your fleet safer.