3 Alarming Safety Statistics Fleets Need to Know

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken numerous steps to raise safety awareness and reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the road. The second quarter of 2022 saw a decline in traffic fatalities for the first time since the third quarter of 2020. However, fleets have more work to do, as current statistics show that fleets have a 20% accident rate on average. Several other statistics highlight the alarming need for continued safety efforts. These include:

• According to NHTSA, driver error account for 94% of all roadway collisions. Distracted driving is among the top culprits.
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimated that 155,585 crashes in 2020 involved large trucks and buses, with trucks accounting for 145,919 and buses racking up 10,030*. They also accounted for 76,705 injuries and 4751 fatalities.
• The cost of fatal crashes involving large trucks can lead to insolvency. The average cost hovers around $761K, but juries have awarded up to $1 billion in damages.

* The subtotals may not reflect the final total, as some crashes involved both a truck and a bus.

Most fleets can’t afford to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, much less a billion, following a fatality involving one of their vehicles. These statistics highlight how essential a strong culture of safety is for trucking companies. Successful fleets take a multipronged approach to tackling safety. They harness technology like GPS tracking and dash cams to provide targeted safety training and coaching. They also use collision mitigation software, such as lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. Many are also tightening their hiring standards for new drivers to reduce the risk of crashes.

Accidents may happen despite best efforts. Contact the experts at Interstate Motor Carriers to learn more about protecting your trucking company and reducing your risk exposures.