The numbers for trucking fatalities in 2017 are in, and the statistics are grim. Truck driver deaths rose from 786 to 840 from 2016 to 2017, a 6.6% increase. Fatalities caused by large trucks including the motoring public rose by 9% as well, claiming the lives of 4761. Clearly, things need to change. Preventing Injuries [...]
Everyone knows that lower speeds and greater attention to detail help to keep drivers safe in winter conditions (though not everyone follows these simple rules). But there are many other ways to improve safety practices for fleets and owner operators in winter. Schedule expectations, consumer demands, and hours of service (HOS) limitations can complicate matters [...]
There is no such thing as a good day for truck equipment to break or fall apart, but some are definitely worse than others are. Truck drivers don’t want to be caught out in frigid temperatures and harsh, wintry conditions dealing with shoddy windshield wipers or a busted defroster—especially when they can take steps to [...]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in the process of overhauling the long-lambasted Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. In its stead, FMCSA is aiming to adopt the National Academy of Sciences’ item response theory (ITR). This approach relies on mathematical equations to prove the validity of safety assessments. Building a Culture of Safety [...]
Since introducing the electronic logging device (ELD) regulation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has experienced pushback from independent drivers and fleets alike. However, when looking closely at their concerns, the problem lies more with the existing hours of service (HOS) regulations rather than the ELDs themselves. FMCSA requested comments regarding this issue, and [...]
The holiday season is in full swing and traffic won’t slow down for several more weeks. With more consumers making online purchases, stores are deploying additional trucks to keep up with delivery demands. The increased congestion isn’t the only safety concern on the roads, however. Wintry weather creates snowy and icy conditions, increasing the likelihood [...]
Fleet managers are always looking for ways to improve driver safety and many of them rely on telematics to do so. However, while having the data is useful, combining it with outward facing cameras provides the visual component required to take safety initiatives to the next level. Many drivers’ initial reactions to having a camera [...]
Trucking companies rely on their vehicles and their drivers to remain in business. This puts safety high on the priority list as unsafe habits can damage fleet vehicles, injure drivers, and hurt the company’s reputation. Of course, implementing changes that produce measurable results can be difficult. Fleet managers can’t be with each driver every moment [...]
In the trucking industry, the most common source of accidents is backing up a long tractor-trailer. The maneuver is difficult and takes years of practice to do well. Even veteran drivers struggle with reversing long tractor-trailers; however, this doesn’t mean fleets have to accept accidents as unavoidable. The damage and related costs of reversing accidents [...]
Truck drivers sacrifice a lot by spending so much time on the road. They are away from their families, often work alone, and work unusual hours to meet shipping demands. This can result in exhaustion, anxiety, and fatigue. With fleets focusing so much on driver safety, they sometimes overlook their drivers’ health. Of course, fleets [...]