The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has reported a 10% increase in the number of fatal truck and bus collisions between 2016 and 2017, putting the trucking industry on edge. A new study examined various safety improvement strategies and provides useful information on how the trucking industry may be able to change course and begin reducing the number of fatal collisions.
About the Research
The National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute completed a study that identified safety improvement strategies used by nine commercial motor carriers that observed a decrease in the amount and severity of collisions. Travelers Insurance assisted with the project to identify best practices that trucking fleets could utilize to help decrease the number of collisions. Representatives from Travelers conducted in-depth interviews with fleets that had better safety ratings. Its goal was to provide strategies to fleets with worse safety ratings to help them improve their safety statistics via an objective third party.
Findings of the Research
The researchers confronted three key insights continually during their research, which brokers and agents can take advantage of in order to assist with their safety statistics. These insights include:
A Strong Safety Culture Is Important
The company should support a strong safety culture and prioritize safety over other aspects of the business. This safety culture should be embraced at all levels of the business, including drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, administrative staff and operations workers. Safety should be a shared value across the company.
Drivers Need Consistent Standards
Additionally, trucking organizations should have consistent standards that apply to all of their drivers. This can often be a challenge to trucking fleets when there are often not enough experienced drivers. However, successful companies maintain consistent standards when hiring, coaching and disciplining drivers. They do not allow for any exceptions when applying these standards and have zero-tolerance policies for logbook violations or other safety violations.
Embrace New Technology
While the research found that there was not one particular type of technology that made the fleet safer, they found that there are several systems that aid in safety and help drivers make decisions while working. Some of the most successful trucking fleets were actively experimenting with the following safety systems:
- Camera-based systems for telematics
- Lane centering
- Adaptive cruise control
Additional Takeaways from the Study
The researchers noted that it was not necessary for all of the fleets to adopt the three strategies to decrease the number of crashes involving their vehicles. The three strategies were found effective, but none of the fleets used all three as part of their safety program. However, each of the nine successful fleets had at least two of the strategies in place.
Help for Injured Victims
Commercial truck fleets have direct control over their safety program and the actions they take if drivers or other personnel violate safety protocol. When commercial fleets prioritize profits over safety, they may not invest in safety technology, may require drivers to skip breaks and become fatigued, and may encourage logbook violations. When a commercial trucking company’s negligent actions result in injuries or fatalities, the victims may be able to seek compensation for the injuries that they sustain. Contact us today for help with your claim.
