Car Accidents are the Leading Cause of on-the-job Death for Truck Drivers in the U.S.

If you live in the Philadelphia area, whether you are downtown, or you reside in Chester County, Bucks, Montgomery or Delaware County, you are likely doing everything you can to get your last trips to the New Jersey shore in as the end of summer nears. Whether you are a truck driver on the job, or one of the lucky people heading to the beach, rest assured the highways will be packed with travelers, making highway safety more important than ever. Large trucks pose a particular threat to drivers on the highway, as they have a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds. Car accidents involving large trucks often lead to serious and catastrophic personal injuries to those involved.

Accidents Involving Large Trucks are On the Rise

According to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, after hitting an all-time low in 2009, the number of car accidents involving large trucks has increased substantially. The CDC reports that approximately 700 drivers of large trucks or their passengers died in 2012 and approximately 26,000 sustained personal injuries.

Careless and Unsafe Practices

When truck drivers engage in careless and unsafe practices, they put themselves and their fellow drivers at risk of serious personal injuries. While most drivers of large trucks operate their trucks safely, it is the careless drivers that put everyone on the highways and roads in great danger. According to the CDC, the three big risks to truck driver safety are:

• Not using a seatbelt
• Drowsy driving
• Distracted driving

Companies Must Emphasize Highway Safety

The best way to prevent unsafe practices and keep the highways in Pennsylvania and New Jersey safe is for the employers of large truck drivers to implement standards that require driver’s to maintain highway safety while on the job. Some recommended requirements by the CDC include required wearing of seat belts, scheduling that allows enough time for drivers to have adequate rest, and a written manual or safety program to hold people accountable.

It is no surprise that the drivers that are out on the highways speeding and violating the traffic laws are the same ones that are most likely to work for employers that do not have any written safety program.